HE
Dr. Khaled S. Al-Sultan, KFUPM Rector, said that Nature Publishing Group is one
of the most important publishers who specialize in publishing high-impact scientific
information. Nature
is the leading weekly, international scientific journal and the partnership
with them well constitutes an important addition to our researchers and faculty
members. The periodical will also play an important role in the development of
the water sector which is one of the most vital sectors and represents one of
the key determinants of sustainable development in the Kingdom, the region and in
the world at large.
Dr.
Al-Sultan pointed the university partnership with Nature Publishing Group will enhance
the University prestige and international reputation in the field of water purification
and treatment research. The npj Clean Water will provide a vital forum for
researchers from multiple disciplines to share the most significant research
advances in the area.
The
journal welcomes high quality papers in all areas of desalination technology
and water purification, as well as related research from other fields such as
chemistry, biology, materials science, nanotechnology and physics.
Research
in desalination and other technologies related to the production of clean water
are a strategic priority for KFUPM, who are currently working on a joint
eight-year research and educational program with faculty in MIT, which has
resulted in their Center for Clean Water and Clean Energy. In addition to
primary research, npj Clean Water will publish analysis of the broader issues
surrounding the supply of clean water, such as education, funding, policy,
intellectual property, and impacts on society. He Added.
Dr
Magdalena Skipper, Executive Editor of Nature Partner Journals at Nature
Publishing Group said: “The supply of, and access to, clean water are serious
issues facing communities worldwide. As climate change and population growth
place increasing pressure on water resources, the need to find solutions to
this problem becomes ever more urgent.”
She
adds: “This is a global challenge that requires a multi-faceted approach.
Through a new open access journal in npj Clean Water, we hope to facilitate the
high quality, inter-disciplinary conversation that is necessary for us to
successfully address this issue on all fronts. KFUPM shares our ambition, and
is an ideal partner for this newest addition to the Nature Partner Journal
family.”
Dr.
Eric M.V. Hoek has been appointed the Editor in Chief of npj Clean Water. Dr.
Hoek is currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Water Planet, Inc.
while on leave from his position as a UCLA environmental engineering
professor. Hoek is the author of over
100 scientific publications and founder of multiple water technology companies.
Dr.
Hoek commented, “I am excited and proud to be working with Nature Publishing
Group and KFUPM to lead the editorial team of this new journal. Sustainably assuring clean water for everyone
is one of the grand challenges of the 21st century. I’ve dedicated my life to this mission. The open-access format is the most democratic
method of disseminating leading-edge research and it is the future of
scientific publishing.”
npj
Clean Water will be the second Nature Partner Journal to be launched in
collaboration with an institution in the Middle East and joins a portfolio of
16 other Nature Partner Journal titles. The journal is expected to launch its
first content at the end of 2016.
Nature
Publishing Group (founded in 1869) is a publisher of high impact scientific
information in print and online. NPG publishes journals, online databases and
services across the life, physical, chemical and applied sciences.
Focusing
on the needs of scientists, NPG publishes a range of Nature research journals
and Nature Reviews journals, and a range of prestigious academic and partner
journals including society-owned publications. Online, nature.com provides over
8 million visitors per month with access to NPG publications and services,
including news and comment from Nature, and the leading scientific jobs board.