BEIJING: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Publisher is dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint through various initiatives to give back to Mother Nature.
Director Malia Taibi stated that UNIMAS Publisher has committed to planting one tree for each book published, a practice that has been in place since 2022.
“We intend to contribute to reforestation and green our campus by giving back to Mother Nature through this initiative. It involves the active participation of various faculties and stakeholders,” she informed the New Sarawak Tribune.
Malia revealed that Malaysian scholars have published high-quality materials, including journal articles, research books, and book chapters. These publications are often widely cited by peers worldwide, particularly when they align with their research interests.
Consequently, information of significant value contributing to knowledge creation is highly regarded within the international academic community.
“However, acquiring manuscripts of good quality has always been a challenge in academic book production. Scholars face difficulties in keeping up with the latest developments in their research niche and producing a book promptly,” she acknowledged.
“While it would be ideal to publish a book within the same year, the editorial process can be lengthy. Rigorous reviews by experts in relevant fields are necessary to ensure the book’s quality,” she explained.
Malia emphasized that UNIMAS Publisher frequently collaborates closely with scholars and researchers.
“This collaboration ensures that our books sustain high quality, as they are based on well-executed research. In addition to academic books, we encourage authors to submit books of various genres, thus offering our readers a diverse selection,” she added.
To cope with rising production costs and competition from other publishers and digital platforms, Malia stated that UNIMAS Publisher is diversifying its marketing strategy by utilizing digital platforms to promote their books.
She also highlighted the importance of participating in events such as the Beijing International Book Fair to give UNIMAS Publishers a competitive edge by enabling them to showcase and sell their books to a global audience.
“We have collaborated with other university presses on specific book projects, taking turns to publish books. Additionally, we work with researchers who have secured industry grants to publish books based on their research outcomes,” she shared.
“This collaboration offers a unique combination of financial support, practical relevance, enhanced credibility, and broader impact. It creates a symbiotic relationship where academic research drives industry innovation, and industry resources enable advanced and impactful academic work, resulting in high-quality publications,” she concluded.
