Academic Publishing Workshop at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Summary

MDPI successfully hosted a two-day Academic Publishing Workshop on 15 and 16 January 2026 at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak. The event brought together a diverse group of postgraduate students, early career researchers, and faculty members focused on enhancing their scholarly publishing expertise.

Day 1: Laying the Foundations
The opening day focused on the core skills required for high-impact academic writing. Dr. Nicholas Cho led the first session, guiding attendees through the essential structure of a research paper and emphasizing the importance of clarity, coherence, and strategic alignment with journal scopes.

Following this, Dr. Steven Moay provided a masterclass on navigating the peer-review process. He shared practical strategies for interpreting reviewer feedback and drafting constructive response letters.

The day concluded with an insightful personal perspective from Ir. Prof. Viknesh Andiappan, who shared his publication journey and experiences working with MDPI and other major publishers.

Day 2: Ethics and Editorial Standards
The second day shifted focus toward the behind-the-scenes of publishing: editorial screening and ethical integrity. Dr. Steven Moay returned to demystify the pre-check stage, identifying common reasons for manuscript rejection and offering tips to avoid technical submission errors.

In a specialized session for faculty and staff, Dr. Nicholas Cho addressed the critical pillar of publication ethics. The discussion covered vital topics—including authorship disputes, plagiarism, data integrity, and conflicts of interest—reaffirming the necessity of transparency in research.

The workshop concluded as a resounding success, providing participants with the tools and confidence to navigate the complexities of the publishing world. By fostering a deeper understanding of both the creative and ethical sides of research, the event served as a vital platform for supporting the next generation of high-quality, responsible scholarship.

MDPI would like to extend our gratitude to Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak for the opportunity to conduct this fruitful workshop for the postgraduate students and faculty members.