MDPI was pleased to partner with Prince of Songkla University at the Phuket Campus on 12 June 2026 for a highly engaging workshop dedicated to advancing academic publishing and scholarly communication. The event brought together university executives, faculty members, researchers, and students to explore key skills and best practices in scientific writing, responding to peer reviewers, and the use of artificial intelligence in scholarly publishing. Through interactive sessions and knowledge exchange, participants gained valuable practical insights to support their academic careers and enhance the quality and international visibility of their research. Strong engagement was maintained throughout the day, reflecting the enthusiasm of the audience for academic growth and publication excellence.

On this occasion, Associate Professor Dr. Pun Thongchumnum, Vice President of Phuket Campus, presided over the opening ceremony of the workshop, which was held on 12 June 2026 at the Ketho Conference Room, 5th Floor, Phuket Campus Administration Building. In his opening remarks, he emphasized the importance of strengthening research capabilities and enhancing scholarly publication skills to elevate the quality and international visibility of the university’s research. The workshop was attended by university executives, faculty members, researchers, and students, providing them with valuable knowledge and practical guidance on publishing academic work in international journals. The event served as an opportunity to equip researchers with the essential tools and skills needed to advance their academic careers and research impact.

The opening session, delivered by Ms. Ploy Assavajamroon, Regional Engagement Editor at MDPI's Bangkok Office, provided an introduction to MDPI and its commitment to advancing open science through transparent and reliable publishing practices. The presentation also explored recent publication trends in Thailand and at Prince of Songkla University, highlighting the importance of research visibility and scholarly communication. As the event sponsor, Processes was introduced to attendees through an overview of its scope and its role as an international open access journal covering process and systems research across science, engineering, and related disciplines. Participants learned about the journal's editorial leadership, journal growth, indexing milestones, and citation performance, as well as opportunities to engage with the journal through upcoming initiatives, including its planned online conference and annual award programs that recognize outstanding contributions from the research community.

The session, “How to Write Scientific Papers”, was presented by Dr. Juthathip Poofery, Editorial Team Leader and Regional Engagement Editor. The session explored the key principles of developing a high-quality scientific manuscript, from crafting an informative title and abstract to organizing the main sections of a paper and preparing the required publication information. Attention was given to presenting research objectives clearly, reporting findings effectively, and maintaining a logical flow throughout the manuscript. In addition, the session addressed publication ethics and research transparency, highlighting the importance of ethical approval, author responsibilities, and disclosure statements. Participants engaged actively in the discussion, raising questions about whether ethical information could influence the double-blind peer-review process, how article processing charges (APCs) are utilized by publishers, and what funding support or discount opportunities may be available for authors. The interactive exchange provided valuable insights into both manuscript preparation and the broader scholarly publishing process.

The third session, titled “How to Respond to Peer Reviewers”, was presented by Ms. Hathaipat Kittirojana, a Regional Journal Relations Specialist. She discussed the peer-review process at MDPI and guided through how to revise the manuscript professionally. This session also included the key tips for revision preparations and how we can organize a response in an effective way. In conclusion, she encouraged the audience to remain positive, open-minded, and professional when replying to reviewers.

The final session, titled “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Scientific Publishing”, was delivered by Dr. Siriporn Tantiwatcharothai, Regional Engagement Editor at MDPI’s Bangkok office. The session began with an overview of AI technologies and their expanding role in academic research and scholarly publishing. During the presentation, Dr. Tantiwatcharothai discussed both the opportunities and limitations of generative AI. While these tools can effectively support various research-related tasks, she emphasized that researchers should critically evaluate AI-generated content and avoid relying on it without proper verification. In line with the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the session also introduced MDPI’s policies regarding the responsible use of AI by authors and reviewers, highlighting the importance of transparency, accountability, and appropriate disclosure practices. The session concluded with an introduction to several AI-powered solutions developed by MDPI to support researchers, authors, reviewers, and editors. These tools are designed to enhance efficiency, streamline editorial workflows, and improve the overall publishing experience.

The workshop concluded with appreciation extended to all participants for their active engagement and enthusiasm throughout the day. This collaboration underscores the shared commitment of MDPI and Prince of Songkla University to fostering a strong research culture and promoting excellence in international academic publishing. The event not only strengthened the partnership between MDPI and the university but also laid a solid foundation for continued collaboration and future academic advancement.