By Zainab Ngaini
KOTA SAMARAHAN, 3 Ogos 2026 — In its continuous commitment to strengthening research excellence and publication competency, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) successfully conducted a two-day hybrid workshop titled Scientific Writing Made Easy: Step-by-Step Guide for Early Researchers from 20 – 21 July 2026. The programme marked the 10th instalment of the series since its introduction in 2020.
Jointly organised by the UNIMAS Business School (UBS) and the Faculty of Resource Science and Technology (FRST), the workshop brought together 14 early-career researchers in a modern hybrid setting, blending in-person engagement at the Inspire Room, FRST, with interactive virtual participation via Microsoft Teams. Designed specifically to demystify the academic publishing process, the session equipped participants with actionable strategies to translate research findings into high-impact manuscripts.
The workshop was facilitated by two distinguished HRD Corp Accredited Trainers, Prof. Dr Zainab Ngaini and Assoc. Prof. Dr Rafeah Wahi, who shared practical insights drawn from their extensive experience as researchers, authors, and journal reviewers.
Over the two-day programme, participants explored four key modules covering journal selection and manuscript readiness, effective scientific writing techniques, ethical and responsible use of AI tools for manuscript development, and publication strategies to improve acceptance rates and reduce desk rejection. Participants particularly appreciated the practical guidance on targeting suitable journals, preparing publishable manuscripts, and leveraging AI tools to improve writing efficiency and clarity.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with all respondents awarding the highest ratings across the evaluation criteria. Many highlighted the relevance of the content, the trainers’ engaging delivery and the valuable tips and tricks shared throughout the workshop. Several participants described the programme as informative, interactive, and immediately applicable to their research and publication activities.
Participants also expressed strong interest in attending future workshops and recommended incorporating extended coaching sessions focused on individual manuscript development. The positive response reflects the growing demand for structured support in scientific writing and scholarly publishing among postgraduate students and emerging researchers.
“Equipping our emerging researchers with effective scientific writing skills and a clear understanding of the publication process is essential for enhancing research visibility and impact,” said Prof. Dr Zainab
By combining foundational writing principles, publication strategies, and modern AI-assisted tools, the workshop marks another step in UNIMAS’s commitment to nurturing competent researchers and increasing the quality and visibility of scholarly outputs at both national and international levels.
