News Release | Koya University – June 2025
Koya University proudly announces a historic achievement: ARO – The Scientific Journal of Koya University has been ranked the highest among all Iraqi academic journals in the 2024 edition of Clarivate Analytics’ Journal Citation Reports (JCR).
With an Impact Factor (IF) of 2.1 and an Impact Factor without self-citations of 1.9, ARO has firmly established itself as Iraq’s leading scientific journal. It now ranks first among the six Iraqi journals listed in the JCR database—an outstanding accomplishment in the landscape of national academic publishing.
Leading Scientific Publishing in Iraq
ARO’s performance places it well ahead of its peers. The journal's Impact Factor of 2.1 notably surpasses the next in line, Baghdad Science Journal, which recorded an IF of 1.7. The full list of indexed Iraqi journals in the 2024 JCR is as follows:
- ARO – The Scientific Journal of Koya University | IF: 2.1 | Q2
- Baghdad Science Journal | IF: 1.7 | Q2
- Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences | IF: 1.6 | Q2
- Journal of Contemporary Medical Sciences | IF: 0.4 | Q3
- Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports | IF: 0.2 | Q4
- Iraqi Journal of Hematology | IF: 0.2 | Q4
International Recognition in Multidisciplinary Sciences
ARO’s success is not only national but also global. Within the Multidisciplinary Sciences category, the journal ranks 55th out of 135 internationally, earning a strong Q2 quartile classification. This status affirms ARO’s ability to compete at a global level and highlights the rising influence of Iraqi research in international scientific dialogue.
A Reflection of Quality and Integrity
The journal’s Impact Factor excluding self-citations (1.9) underscores the authenticity and academic value of its content. This metric reflects external recognition and suggests that researchers worldwide find the content published in ARO both credible and impactful.
Leadership and Team Effort
This success is the result of the dedicated efforts of many individuals. Special recognition goes to Dr. Dilan Majid Rostam, Editor-in-Chief, whose vision has shaped the journal since its inception, and Prof. Salah I. Yahya, Journal Director, for his continuous leadership. Gratitude is also extended to the Executive and Associate Editorial Boards, the journal’s secretarial team, and the Executive Publisher, Prof. Mohammed H. Zangana, for their essential support.
About ARO – The Scientific Journal of Koya University
ARO is a multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal published by Koya University and indexed in the Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), part of the Web of Science Core Collection. With ISSN 2307-549X (print) and eISSN 2410-9355 (online), ARO provides a high-visibility platform for research across scientific disciplines.
A Milestone for Iraqi Academia
This achievement is a significant step forward for Iraqi higher education. It reflects Koya University’s strong commitment to research quality and international collaboration, and it demonstrates the capability of Iraqi institutions to compete with global standards in academic publishing.
Looking ahead, ARO is poised to further expand its influence, continue attracting high-caliber submissions, and contribute meaningfully to the global scientific community.
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Koya University (KOU) is located in the city of Koya (Koy Sanjaq) which is 1.0 hr drive to the East of the Kurdistan Region capital Erbil (Arbil, Hewlér) in Kurdistan Region of F.R. Iraq. It is on the foothills of a beautiful high mountain. Its campus has been carefully laid out to embrace the beautiful mountainous nature.
There are 4 Faculties and 2 Schools in KOU; Faculty of Engineering (FENG), Faculty of Science and Health (FSCH), Faculty of Education (FEDU), Faculty of Humanities and Social Silences (FHSS), Shcool of Physical Education (SPHE) and School of Medicine (SMED).
Also, there are two research centers; Genome Center and Malai Gawra Center. Moreover, at KOU there is an English Language Center (BELC) at KOU has been opened with the sponsorship of IREX and American embassy in Baghdad as well as with the support of Spring International Language Center of The University of Arkansas. KOU has two Scientific Journals; ARO-The Scientific Journal of Koya University, which is indexed by Clarivate Analytics (ESCI), and Koya University Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (KUJHSS). KOU is a proactive member of Erasmus/ Marhaba Project and Erasmus+.
KOU signed many Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) with many International Universities, e.g., The University of Arkansas (June 2015). The Lulea University in Sweden (April 2014), The University of Nottingham in the UK, The University of Buckingham in the UK (Oct 2008), Belkin University in Turkey (Sep 2009) The University of Greenwich in the UK, Cihan University-Erbil (2021) and Tishk International University (2021).
Koya University is a memebr of The Association of Arab Universities and the International Association of Universities.
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