HKUST and Nanjing University Jointly Develop "Chinese Social Science Citation Index"

Abstract

[evdate 1999-04-29] For release 29 April 1999

HKUST AND NANJING UNIVERSITY JOINTLY DEVELOP "CHINESE SOCIAL SCIENCE CITATION INDEX"

Nanjing University President Prof Shu-Sheng Jiang and HKUST President Prof Chia-Wei Woo signed an agreement for the two universities to jointly develop a "Chinese Social Science Citation Index"(CSSCI).

Prof Jiang pointed out that the project, once completed, would be of great academic value to researchers in the areas of humanities and social science. It will provide a benchmark for assessing the quality of social scientific journals, thereby encouraging improvement in research and publications in the Chinese-speaking world.

Prof Woo recalled the long cooperation with Nanjing University in physics and materials fields, and said that "it is really exciting to work together on such an important project in humanities and social science."

Developed by the National Technical Information Service, USA, the Science Citation Index (SCI) and the Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) have been widely used by scholars around the world. Due to differences in classification and language, however, SSCI has not been able to cover most of the contents and subjects of social science publications on the Chinese Mainland, so a Chinese language citation index of humanities and social science publications is in urgent need on the Chinese Mainland and nearby areas.

According to the agreement, the two universities will, within two years, attempt to cite approximately 600 of the core journals on the Chinese Mainland and 150 of the core journals in Hong Kong, Taiwan and other areas by means of advanced information technology. The results will be available in CD-ROM form, and also through the Internet service. Nanjing University's Prof Zhi-Ren Zou of Documentation and Information Science, Associate University Librarian Mr Ke-Yi Yang, HKUST's University Librarian Ms Min-Min Chang, and Professor of Social Science Hsi-sheng Ch'i, all experienced and renowned experts and/or scholars, will direct and oversee the project.

Note to Editors: For enquiries, please contact Ms Jacky Tsang of the Office of University Development and Public Affairs at 2358-6306, or email pamedia@ust.hk.