'Student Journal of Physics' originally titled ’PRAYAS: Students’ Journal of Physics’ was started by Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) in 2004 with the objective of inculcating the spirit of innovation and research amongst the undergraduate students (up to M.Sc. level) of Indian universities. This journal being somewhat novel and unconventional had to struggle hard to establish its identity and prove its utility and acceptability. Its recognition as a journal of viability was accorded when it got its international registration number ISSN 2319-3166 in 2012 with the new title ’Student Journal of Physics’ - a better universal title without flavor of any nation or region.
SJP has significantly contributed towards spreading the awareness of the importance of innovation and research amongst the Indian student mass. During its operation of almost 12 years, it has tried to reorient their attitude from rote learning and excellence in examination towards research and innovation. Its impact in this direction is evident from the enthusiastic participation of a large number of students in the National Student Symposium in Physics, now held annually in India.
The present trend and emphasis in the world is to promote research in the undergraduate level. USA has a program called REU i.e. Research Experience for Undergraduates under which UG students visit national labs and universities during the summer months and carry out research with the guidance from the scientists there. In India, there is a similar program NIUS ie. National Initiative in Under Graduate Science operated in Homi Bhabha Centre. Other countries do have similar programs. Very often an undergraduate student producing original idea is unable to find a venue for its expression where it can get due attention. SJP will address it with due seriousness. Undergraduate research being a relatively new concept, this journal will hopefully impart some momentum to take it forward to a higher goal.
Every institution and enterprise must innovate and evolve to remain relevant and flourish with time. So, SJP needs innovation and enrichment to remain a potent force for the upliftment of undergraduate physics education and to be competitive with high international standards. Effort has been on for a couple of years to expand its area of operation to international arena with active participation of overseas students and reputed physicists for the overall development of undergraduate physics education on a global level. It is hoped that the original objective of infusing innovation and research into the ethos of undergraduate physics education will be better fulfilled through this internationalization. Hence, it is proposed to expand area of operation of SJP by making it an international journal retaining the same title and international registration number. This new avatar of Student Journal of Physics will be published quarterly and commence its publication right from this year i.e; 2016. It will be an online journal with no cost to the authors.
The Student Journal of Physics is devoted to research carried out by students at undergraduate level. The journal provides a platform for the young students to explore their creativity, originality, and independence in terms of research articles which may be written in collaboration with senior scientist(s), but with a very significant contribution from the student. The articles will be judged for suitability of publication in the following two broad categories:
The Student Journal of Physics proposes to provide a platform for such ideas with a hope that this will promote a culture for young students to generate new ideas and expand their potential for creative, original and independent thinking. Therefore, please note that atleast one of the authors must be a student upto M.Sc/ MS/ M.Tech level.