An online submission and peer review system, that is known as ASPERS, developed by Airiti Digital Art Company, will be used by seven TKU journals, after it has been adopted by the Library Association of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Dr. Chiu Jeong-yeou from the Department of Information and Library Science, who was consulted on the development of ASPER and its commercial launch, explains that the design of this system drew inspirations from some commonly used systems in the US and Europe, but includes features that are unique to Taiwan users. This system contains a Chinese-English interface and allows authors to submit papers in stages with an open tracking system to trace submission status. Automated response system is also in place to inform authors about reviewing process and other related issues. Similarly, authors can use the system to trace their submission record and status should they need them for grant applications and other academic references.

Dr. Chiu points out that systems similar to ASPERS have been long in place in the US, Europe and even China as the academic publishing markets there are far bigger than that in Taiwan. With the implementation of this system, he observes, things can change in Taiwan. Taiwanese academic publishers can use this system to educate the public and manage their publication in a more methodical way.

Dr. Huang Hui-nan, the Director at Tamkang University Press of the Office of Research and Development adds that ASPERS can also save money on publication for his organization by moving operation on line. Three journals: Tamkang Journal of Science and Engineering, Tamkang Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences and Journal Educational Media and Library Science, according to him, are already using this e-submission system, while four other journals: Tamkang Review, International Journal of Information and Management Sciences, Journal of Futures Studies and Tamkang Journal of International Affairs, will implement it on-line soon. Tamkang Journal of Mathematics is still evaluating its merits. ( ~Ying-hsueh Hu )

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