VSU’s Scopus-indexed Annals of Tropical Research achieves SCImago Q4 ranking

Annals of Tropical Research (ATR), the international scientific journal of Visayas State University and the first Scopus-indexed journal in the region, has officially entered the SCImago Journal Rankings (SJR) system with a  fourth quartile (Q4) ranking in Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Environmental Science, and Social Sciences. 

The SCImago journal rankings are based on citation data from Scopus-indexed journals and are widely regarded as indicators of a journal’s academic influence and visibility. 

With an SJR 2025 score of 0.121, the recognition proves the journal’s growing contribution to the global academic and research community, with ATR now among the top 75-100% journals in the field globally.

For the editorial team behind ATR, the achievement represents more than just ranking. It symbolizes years of dedication, persistence, and collective effort to elevate the quality and visibility of the journal.

Dr. Janet Alexis A. De los Santos, Head of the Journal Publications and Printing Office and Managing Editor of ATR, strongly emphasized that “as one of VSUs scholarly publications, ATR’s inclusion in the SCImago rankings reflects that a university-based journal from the Philippines can stand alongside internationally recognized publications and contribute meaningfully to global research conversations.”

For ATR, earning a place within this system marks an important step toward greater international recognition and wider readership.

Although a Q4 ranking serves as an entry point within the SJR framework, the ATR team views the recognition as a promising beginning rather than a final destination. 

Journal leaders acknowledged that many academic journals, particularly those from developing countries, face continuing challenges in sustaining operations, maintaining publication quality, and gaining international exposure. The inclusion of ATR, in this context, is itself already a meaningful accomplishment.

What makes the milestone even more meaningful is ATR’s interdisciplinary reach. The journal’s recognition across agriculture, environmental science, and the social sciences highlights its commitment to publishing research that addresses real-world issues from multiple perspectives. This breadth reflects ATR’s role in fostering knowledge that is both locally grounded and globally relevant.

Behind the achievement is a long journey of continuous improvement. According to ATR Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Harvie P. Portugaliza, ATR’s growth was made possible through the combined efforts of university administrators, editors, peer reviewers, authors, technical staff, and research partners who shared a common vision of strengthening the journal’s standards and expanding its reach.

Over the years, ATR worked to enhance its editorial and peer-review processes, strengthen publication ethics, adopt digital object identifiers (DOIs), improve article formatting and metadata quality, and ensure regular publication schedules. 

The journal also expanded its presence in reputable indexing platforms and open-access databases to improve discoverability and accessibility for researchers worldwide. In September 2025, the ATR earned Scopus indexing as VSU’s first internationally recognized journal. 

The support and initiative of Vice President for Research, Extension, and Innovation, Dr. Santiago T. Peña, Jr., also played a vital role in ATR’s development, driven by his vision of positioning the journal within the global academic and scholarly landscape. 

By fostering a strong research culture and creating an environment that supports scholarly publication, the university helped pave the way for the journal’s continued growth and international recognition.

As ATR celebrates this milestone, the journal remains focused on moving forward. The recognition serves both as an affirmation of the work accomplished through the years and as inspiration to continue improving the quality, relevance, and impact of the research it publishes. 

University President Prose Ivy G. Yepes proudly expressed her gratitude to the entire ATR Team for this remarkable recognition. 

“We take pride in this achievement as we continue fostering innovation, collaboration, and impactful research for society until we reach first quartile (Q1),” President Yepes said. 

This article is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. 

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