IJHSS: A Journal As Knowledge & A Vehicle Of Academic Dialogue 

By Laksiri Fernando –AUGUST 30, 2018

Dr. Laksiri Fernando

It is a great pleasure to participate at the launch of the International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (IJHSS) by the Al-Mustapha International University (MIU), Sri Lanka Branch. Let me first congratulate the Chief Editor, Prof. Premakumara de Silva, and other editors, and also the Vice Chancellor/Director, Mr Ali Kazemi, and other staff of the MIU, for their painstaking work in bringing this first issue timely on the theme of ‘Interreligious Dialogue.’ 

I further wish them all insight, wisdom and determination in continuing this endeavour in the future, in better and higher forms. Because, all human efforts should evolve into improved and finer forms, especially in the sphere of knowledge. This means, the second issue of this journal should be better than the first; and the third better than the second. This is my wish and hope. 

My presentation is mainly on the theme of ‘a journal as knowledge and a vehicle of academic dialogue.’ In that context, I will also briefly review the present issue of the journal.  

Purpose of a Journal 

• An academic journal is about knowledge. A journal is a forum and a platform for academics, old and young, to equally contribute, bring their research and scientific findings into philosophical and practical use, and thereby contribute to the ‘public policy’ sphere, both nationally and internationally. 

• A journal is a vehicle for academics to communicate, dialogue and interact with each other, and also to communicate with a larger reader community, nationally and internationally. 

• A journal in humanities and social sciences is also a medium to critically evaluate the existing or old notions, bring new knowledge and values into focus, dispelling human prejudices and intolerance. 

Knowledge is the primary objective of any university, in this case the MIU. Therefore, I also have immense gratitude to the Al-Mustafa International University (MIU), here in Sri Lanka and in Iran, in supporting and encouraging this effort, the launching of the International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences. 

Historical Context   

It is believed that the first academic journal of the world was published in 1665 (353 years ago) by The Royal Society named ‘Philosophical Transactions’ in London. The name has some meaning for the present journal, and its first issue. Because this first issue of the present journal is about ‘Interreligious Dialogue.’ It is similar to ‘Philosophical Transactions.  

Those days, the journal ‘Philosophical Transactions’ was limited to the West, and more particularly to England. But this journal, IJHSS, intends to extend this dialogue, in a modest way though, into the international sphere, like many other contemporary journals in the world. More importantly, this is an initiative taken in the East – in Colombo, Teheran and Qom.  

There are over one million academic journals in the world today. In Sri Lanka, the number is understandably modest. I believe that is not more than 200 academic journals, both alive and dead or half dead. To my knowledge and experience, a major challenge for an academic journal in Sri Lanka, or in any other country for that matter, is its continuity and regularity. This would undoubtedly be a challenge for the IJHSS as well. 

Therefore, I wish that the MIU and the editorial board, make some special efforts to ensure its continuity and regularity. That is also the very reason why the broader academic community, today’s participants at this journal launch, should support and encourage this effort. 

A Noble Objective  

Read More