The organisation and support of research in Alnoor University

Research within Alnoor University is supported both by the University and by the colleges. All university lecturers, readers and professors are expected to teach and to undertake research. As we have noted, a further important contribution is made by academic-related research staff, employed by the University, who are expected to devote all or most of their time to research. Many college employed staff also do research, even if some of them are not contractually required to do so. The organizational framework in which research is undertaken varies considerably from one subject area to another. For example, the pattern of research in equipment-intensive and departmentally organized science subjects is very different from research in many humanities disciplines, which may lack a departmental focus, which depend heavily on library and archival resources, and where research is often undertaken and supported by colleges.

This conclusion is reinforced by considering other aspects of fostering interdisciplinary research. Boundaries between different disciplines are always shifting and overlapping, and it is difficult to foresee what linkages may be most valuable except in the short term. Hence it is important that organizational structures should not inhibit interdisciplinarity. The University must have in place an administrative structure which enables departmental or faculty boundaries to be crossed or modified when this is appropriate, along with resource allocation methods which are flexible enough to allow transfers of funds when this is desirable on academic grounds. The best safeguard of interdisciplinarity is to set research within a university environment where departments and faculties covering many different disciplines work in close proximity, and where there is sufficient information and contact between those working in different disciplines. Alnoor University has particular advantages in this respect because the colleges can provide additional and systematic opportunities for academic staff and graduate students to meet others working in different subject areas. The colleges should, in our view, ensure that the most is made of these opportunities.

We have specifically considered the research in the humanities and social science subjects in Alnoor University. At present, patterns of support on the University side are varied, and the colleges often play a particularly important role. The University has recently supported several research initiatives in the humanities and social sciences; these include the development of Heritage Research Center for the Study of Ancient Documents and Mosul heritage. These provide examples of how new organizational structures are developing to support research in the humanities and social sciences in order to supplement existing provision. The contribution of the colleges is also of great significance. a considerable extent established to foster research in the social sciences.

We therefore believe that the University should develop faculty centres and analogous facilities to support these two subjects. Faculty centres which provide seminar rooms, offices, library space and other facilities support academic and social contact between those working in a particular subject area; they supplement and complement support currently provided by colleges.

Objectives
The key objectives of this strategy are to:
• Promote the publication of research in indexed, high-impact journals (e.g., Scopus, Web of Science).
• Provide institutional support to overcome barriers to academic publishing.
• Recognise and reward faculty members and researchers for their contributions to the university’s academic mission.

Programmes and Support Mechanisms
Plagiarism Detection Services
• Free Access to Plagiarism Detection Tools: The university provides free access to advanced plagiarism detection software (e.g., Turnitin) to ensure the originality of manuscripts before submission.
• Training on Ethical Publishing: Workshops will be held to educate researchers on ethical practices, including citation standards and avoiding self-plagiarism.

Financial Support for Publishing
• Funding for Open Access: The university allocates funds to cover article processing charges (APCs) for open-access publications in reputable journals.
• Grants for Publishing Costs: Researchers can apply for financial support to cover publication fees in indexed journals.

Recognition and Rewards
• Monetary Rewards: Faculty members and researchers who publish in high-impact journals will receive monetary rewards based on the journal’s ranking and impact factor.
• Certificates and Letters of Appreciation: Researchers will be awarded official letters of appreciation and certificates recognising their contributions.
• Annual Awards Ceremony: Outstanding researchers will be honoured during an annual event dedicated to celebrating academic achievements.

Capacity Building
• Workshops on Academic Writing: Regular workshops will be organised to improve researchers’ skills in writing and structuring articles for international journals.
• Mentorship Programme: Junior researchers will be paired with experienced faculty members who have a proven track record in academic publishing.
• Pre-Submission Peer Review: Researchers will have access to internal peer review committees to refine their manuscripts before submission.

Research Infrastructure
• Access to Journal Databases: Faculty members and researchers have full access to major academic databases such as ScienceDirect, Springer, and Wiley.
• Advanced Research Tools: The university provides tools for citation management (e.g., EndNote) and other resources to support research and publication.

Strategic Focus
• Targeted Journals: Researchers are encouraged to prioritise journals indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, or those with high impact factors.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Emphasis is placed on collaborative research across disciplines to produce impactful and innovative studies.