UB strengthens journal management through benchmarking with Benguet State University
“… aims to further strengthen the journal’s editorial processes, publication quality, visibility, and internationalization”
To strengthen its editorial practices and advance the University of Baguio Multidisciplinary Research Journal (UBMRJ), an open access journal supporting SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing free access to research for those outside the university, a delegation from the University of Baguio (UB) visited Benguet State University (BSU) to benchmark the review process of the Mountain Journal of Science and Interdisciplinary Research (MJSIR).The activity, hosted by the BSU Research and Extension Publication Office (BSU-REPO), aimed to gain insights into journal management practices and shared experiences on Scopus application.
The UB delegation was composed of Dr. Janice Kaylyn Lonogan, Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) and UBMRJ Advisory Board Member; Dr. Donnavila Marie Panday-Herbster, RIECO Director and UBMRJ Editor-in-Chief; Dr. Kareen Leon, Quality Assurance Office (QAO) Director and UBMRJ Reviewer; Dir. Leny O. Estacio, CCSD Director and UBMRJ Reviewer; Dr. Filibert Patrick Tad-awan, SCJPS Professor and UBMRJ Reviewer; Ms. Sittie Al-meerah Darimbang, RIECO Staff and UBMRJ Managing Editor; and Mr. Oliver Richard Celi, RIECO Staff and UBMRJ Technical expert. The team sought to gain insights into MJSIR’s journal management and peer-review practices, particularly its systems and processes for maintaining editorial quality and strengthening international visibility, as references for the continuous enhancement of UBMRJ’s own editorial systems.
Ms. Riaflor Rebolledo of BSU-REPO represented the host institution and guided the delegation through MJSIR’s review process, providing an overview of the journal’s workflow from manuscript submission to editorial decision-making. An open forum followed the presentation, allowing both teams to engage in a productive exchange of questions, practices, and experiences.
Ms. Rebolledo also shared its experiences and processes in pursuing Scopus indexing, offering practical insights into the requirements, preparations, and strategies involved in enhancing the international visibility and recognition of academic journals. The exchange provided the UB delegation with valuable references for further strengthening UBMRJ’s journal management and editorial practices.
The benchmarking activity affirms the University of Baguio’s continuing commitment to enhancing UBMRJ through peer learning and institutional collaboration. By drawing from the experiences of established journals and peer institutions, UB aims to further strengthen the journal’s editorial processes, publication quality, visibility, and internationalization.
