On 14 November 2024, MDPI, in collaboration with the Biology Graduate Student Club at Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) School of Biological Sciences, conducted an engaging and informative Author Training session. Tailored to early career researchers, this workshop provided practical guidance on navigating the academic publishing process, with a particular focus on open access publishing.

A Focused Agenda for Research Success

The training session covered five key topics designed to address common challenges faced by researchers in publishing their work:

• Introduction to the Open Access Model
  Participants learned about the advantages of open access, including improved visibility and accessibility of published research;

• How to Write Scientific Papers in English
  Tips on structuring papers, enhancing clarity, and meeting international journal standards helped attendees refine their academic writing skills;

• Identifying Research Topics and Conducting Research
  This segment provided strategies for selecting impactful research topics and introduced tools to streamline the research process;

• Reasons for Rejection at Pre-check
  Common reasons for pre-check rejections, such as out-of-scope research or lack of novelty, were discussed, with advice on avoiding these issues;

• How to Respond to Peer Reviewers
  Researchers gained practical insights into addressing reviewer feedback professionally and improving their manuscripts.

An Engaging Q&A Session

The interactive Q&A session stood out as a lively and insightful component of the training. Participants actively shared their experiences with pre-check rejections and peer review, bringing up challenges such as manuscripts being deemed out of scope or lacking originality.

In response, the MDPI team introduced participants to the Journal Finder Tool, a platform designed to help authors identify MDPI journals best suited for their research. By selecting the right journal, authors can increase their chances of acceptance and ensure that their work reaches its intended audience.

Special Guest: Prof. Surajit Bhattacharyya

A highlight of the event was a closing address by Prof. Surajit Bhattacharyya, a distinguished faculty member of NTU’s School of Biological Sciences. Drawing on his extensive publishing experience, Prof. Bhattacharyya provided practical advice on succeeding in the academic publishing process.

He emphasized the importance of carefully selecting journals that align with one’s research, adhering to submission guidelines, and addressing reviewer feedback with a collaborative mindset. His insights left a lasting impression on the audience, inspiring them to approach the publishing process with greater confidence.

Building Knowledge and Confidence

The Author Training session demonstrated MDPI’s commitment to empowering the academic community with the skills and resources needed for publishing success. Participants left the event with a clearer understanding of the publishing process and actionable strategies to overcome common challenges.

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed appreciations for the practical tips, particularly those related to improving their manuscripts and navigating peer review. The tools and resources shared, including the Journal Finder Tool, were especially well-received.

Looking Ahead

MDPI extends its gratitude to NTU’s School of Biological Sciences and the Biology Graduate Student Club for their support in organizing this successful event. Special thanks also go to Prof. Bhattacharyya for his invaluable contribution.

As we continue to support the academic community, MDPI looks forward to hosting similar events to guide researchers in their publishing journeys. Stay connected for updates on future Author Training sessions and other initiatives!

For readers interested in collaborating through academic events, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at marketing-singapore@mdpi.com or visit https://www.mdpi.com/offices/singapore/workshops for more information.