Coinciding with the recent inclusion of the Anbar University Journal of Pure Sciences (JUAPS) in the Scopus indexing database—following the Anbar Medical Journal and the Anbar Journal of Agricultural Sciences—it is only fair to revisit the journal’s origins, highlight those who first conceived the idea, and acknowledge the individuals who contributed to the publication of its inaugural issue.

 The Birth of the Idea and the First Issue (Medical Sciences Series, 1996)

The idea of launching a scientific journal at the University of Anbar to disseminate research across different fields of knowledge was first proposed by Professor Abdul Rahman Abdul Kareem Al-Ani (may he rest in peace), then President of the University of Anbar.

The initiative began in 1996, when a letter of appreciation from the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research was addressed to the editorial board of the University of Al-Qadisiyah Journal, where I was serving as Secretary of the Editorial Board. Shortly after, I was transferred from Al-Qadisiyah University to the University of Anbar. President Al-Ani summoned me and requested a feasibility study for launching a university journal modeled after Al-Qadisiyah’s.

I prepared a proposal suggesting the journal be issued in three series:

1. Medical Sciences
2. Pure and Applied Sciences
3. Humanities

The university decree to establish the journal and form the Editorial Board was subsequently issued, consisting of the following members (may God bless the departed and grant long life to the living):

• Prof. Abdul Rahman Abdul Kareem Al-Ani – Editor-in-Chief
• Prof. Sabah Mahmoud Ali – Member
• Prof. Ismail Abdul Wahab Abdul Qadir – Member
• Assist. Prof. Imad Abdul Rahman Mohammed Saleh – Deputy Editor-in-Chief
• Assist. Prof. Safa Kamel Nassif – Member
• Assist. Prof. Somar Matti Dawood – Member

The first Editorial Board meeting was held on 3 April 1996, chaired by the University President. It was decided that the inaugural issue would be dedicated to Medical Sciences, as several research papers had already been presented at a medical conference organized by Anbar Health Directorate in collaboration with the College of Medicine.

I pledged to deliver the first issue by the graduation ceremony on 3 July 1996, which was fulfilled. A copy was handed to the University President and then to the Minister, who in turn sent a formal letter of appreciation to the Editorial Board on 11 July 1996. Later, the first issues of the Pure and Applied Sciences Series and the Humanities Series were also released.

Establishment of JUAPS (2007)

Following my departure from Iraq in late 1997 and return in 2004, I found that the original journal had given rise to multiple specialized publications, including the Anbar Medical Journal, JUAPS, and the Anbar Journal of Agricultural Sciences. Personally, I would have preferred the original three-series structure, similar to the Dirasat Journal of the University of Jordan or Yarmouk Research Journal.

JUAPS was officially founded in 2007 as the only journal at the University of Anbar dedicated to publishing in pure sciences and computer sciences. It was issued by the College of Science under the leadership of Prof. Iyad Abdul Razzaq Matar (Dean of Science) as Editor-in-Chief, with Dr. Mohammed Qais Al-Ani as Managing Editor. The journal published three issues per year, quickly gaining recognition and even receiving a letter of commendation from the Ministry of Higher Education for ranking first among Iraqi journals in citation count on the Iraqi Academic Scientific Journals (IASJ) platform.

 Leading Iraqi Journal in External Citations (2012)

In 2008, the Editorial Board was reconstituted under Prof. Imad Abdul Rahman Mohammed Saleh (Dean of Science). By then, the journal had published 1,125 papers listed on the ministry’s website. In 2012, JUAPS ranked first among Iraqi journals in the number of external citations received from international researchers.

Preparing for Scopus Indexing (2018)

Amid the displacement years, the Editorial Board was reorganized in 2014 under Dr. Muthanna Mohammed Awad (Dean of Science). Despite the difficult conditions, the journal continued publishing from a temporary office at the College of Agriculture, University of Baghdad, until the university returned to its original campus in 2017.

In 2018, following another restructuring under Prof. Imad Abdul Rahman Mohammed Saleh, the journal began active preparations for Scopus indexing. New national regulations required revisions to editorial leadership and composition. The University Presidency, guided by the Ministry, encouraged journals to pursue international indexing.

Further restructuring occurred in 2019, appointing Prof. Abdul Ali Thakir as Editor-in-Chief, during which JUAPS was administratively and financially linked directly to the University Presidency. In 2021, a new board was led by Prof. Omar Hamad Shihab, followed in 2022 by a contract with a Swedish company to redesign the journal’s website, signed by Prof. Imad Abdul Rahman Mohammed Saleh.

 Completing Requirements and Submitting to Scopus (2024)

In 2024, the Editorial Board under Prof. Omar Hamad Shihab finalized all requirements for Scopus and submitted a formal request through the University Presidency to the Ministry of Higher Education for approval.

The Ministry approved the request, contingent on compliance with specific conditions. Later that year, a new Editorial Board was formed under Assoc. Prof. Alaa Ahmed Al-Jubouri, supported by the College of Science Dean Prof. Ismat Ramzi Abdul Ghafour. Official registration in Scopus was successfully completed by Assoc. Prof. Thamer Yousif Matar, who played a crucial role in managing communications with Scopus.

 Official Acceptance into Scopus (2025)

On the evening of 20 May 2025, JUAPS received the long-awaited confirmation:

Congratulations! The Anbar University Journal of Pure Sciences (ISSN/E-ISSN: 1991-8941 / 2706-6703), published by the University of Anbar, has been officially accepted for indexing in Scopus. The Content Selection & Advisory Board (CSAB) has reviewed your application and approved its inclusion.

 Acknowledgements

I had the honor of serving as Editor-in-Chief of JUAPS during two periods (2008–2014 and 2017–2018), working alongside distinguished colleagues, including Prof. Mohammed Qais Abdul (Managing Editor) and the dedicated Mr. Jasim Mohammed Ali, whose tireless contributions remain invaluable.

All praise is due to God for granting us success, and to Prof. Abdul Rahman Abdul Kareem Al-Ani (may God have mercy on him), the visionary founder, and to Prof. Imad Abdul Rahman Mohammed Saleh, the cornerstone of the journal’s establishment. Deep gratitude is extended to all who contributed to this milestone achievement—the successful inclusion of JUAPS in Scopus.