A Decade of LIMUJ: From Survival to Transformation

Abstract

The Libyan International University launched its electronic scientific journal (LIMUJ) 10 years ago. The goals were to encourage research in Libya, to tackle local issues with a global view, to train young researchers about scientific writing, and to strengthen the role of Arabic as a language of learning and creativity.[ 1 ] These goals reflected a determination to give Libya a place in the international scientific publication.[ 2 ] The results of the first 2 years reflect the sincere efforts of the pioneers. We edited and published 31 articles out of 110 submissions using the Open Journal System (OJS). We expanded our editorial board with respected international scholars, obtained the International Standard Serial Number (ISSN), obtained DOIs for all articles by becoming a CrossRef member, and achieved indexing in Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Google Scholar, and African Index Medicus. These steps gave LIMUJ credibility and visibility, proving that a Libyan journal could meet international standards. In the search of a wider international reach, we partnered with Medknow (Wolters Kluwer) in 2018 as a LIMUJ publisher. After 4 years, despite our efforts, the hoped growth in quality and quantity of publications did not reach our expectations. In 2022, we turned to another global publisher, Thieme, convinced that a change of the publisher might bring momentum. Yet the same challenges persisted to date: limited recognition, weak submissions, and difficulty in securing qualified reviewers. The struggle for visibility and impact remained even after change of the publisher.[ 3 ] This decade, then, is a story of ambition tested by reality. LIMUJ has succeeded in surviving when many other initiatives failed in keeping alive the dream of a Libyan journal with international quality. But the journey has also had its struggles, with recognition, with consistency in quality, and with establishing sustainability on the global stage. However, survival alone is not enough. We reached a conclusion that international publishers cannot solve problems rooted in local realities; excellence must be cultivated within Libya itself by the local research culture, building reviewer networks, and raising submission standards to obtain international recognition. Therefore, among our strategies, we are preparing to submit LIMUJ for indexing in Scopus by the end of 2026, having already met the required standards. This will be followed by our aim to achieve Medline indexing by 2027, a milestone that would secure international recognition and spread. In addition, we are implementing multiple strategies to increase submissions and enhance visibility: Expanding calls for papers through social media, conferences, and partnerships with Libyan and international research institutions. Offering author workshops and webinars on scientific writing and submission processes, particularly targeting early-career researchers. Strengthening our reviewer pool with international and local experts to ensure timely and rigorous peer review. Actively promoting published articles through social media, academic networks, and press releases to increase readership and citations. Considering author recognition programs such as “most cited article” or “editor's choice” awards to encourage high-quality submissions. Throughout this journey, we had one principle that guided us firmly: LIMUJ must never become a predatory journal. We have done our best to publish only articles that meet scientific standards after subjecting every submission to strict review, both at the editorial level and through external peer reviewers. This commitment is our safeguard, and it will remain the cornerstone of our future. The 10 years of LIMUJ tell a story of resilience, and of hope for the decade ahead. It is a decade of hard efforts, of lessons learned, and of lessons still to be learned. The journal stands today as an example of persistence, a reminder that scientific publishing in Libya is possible, but that it demands reform, collaboration, and a renewed commitment to quality. The next 10 years must be one of transformation. With these new initiatives, we aim not only to survive but to thrive, becoming a hub for high-quality research, fostering a robust scientific community, and enhancing Libya's presence on the global academic stage. Publication History Received: 13 May 2026 Accepted: 13 May 2026 Article published online: 19 June 2026 © 2026. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Private Limited A-13A, Graphix Tower 1, 6th floor, Sector 62, Noida 201309, Uttar Pradesh, India