Summary of the MDPI Academic Publishing Workshop at Rajamangala University of Technology Isan
MDPI was proud to join forces with Rajamangala University of Technology Isan on 1 April for a fruitful workshop focused on enhancing academic publishing and scholarly communication. The session gathered specialists to discuss emerging trends and breakthroughs across various scientific disciplines. Through interactive discussions and peer‑to‑peer exchange, attendees acquired hands‑on knowledge in writing scientific papers, addressing reviewer feedback, and understanding the main reasons for manuscript rejection during the preliminary editorial stage.
Dr. Anirut Pipatprapa, Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, delivered the opening speech at the event. In his remarks, Dr. Anirut highlighted that MDPI journals adhere to international publishing standards and are widely recognized and trusted globally. He noted that the journal quality is carefully evaluated and that the efficient processing time is particularly impressive, emphasizing that publication is not merely based on Article Processing Charge payment but on meeting academic standards. He described the session as a valuable opportunity for participants to gain deeper insights into MDPI’s editorial processes and journal portfolio. He encouraged attendees to develop strong skills in writing for international journals, particularly in structuring a clear and compelling research narrative. He also pointed out the distinction between national and international research, noting that while local studies often focus on area-based topics, international publications should address issues of broader, global interest.
During the first presentation, Dr. Siriporn Tantiwatcharothai, Regional Journal Relations Specialist at the MDPI Bangkok Office, delivered an overview of open access journals and discussed MDPI’s current position as a leading academic publisher in the open access field. She also introduced several high-quality MDPI journals indexed in Quartile 1 and Quartile 2, including leading Tier 1 journals in the field of business and management.
The second session, “How to Write Scientific Papers”, was delivered by Dr. Juthathip Poofery, Editorial Team Leader and Regional Journal Relations Specialist. The session provided an overview of manuscript preparation, including the structure of a scientific paper: front matter, main text, and back matter. Key points included writing a clear introduction that identifies research gaps, describing methods with sufficient detail for reproducibility, and distinguishing between results and their interpretation in the discussion. Additional focus was placed on title design, abstract writing, keyword selection, and concise, impactful writing. The session also covered ethical and transparency aspects, including authorship, funding, data availability, informed consent, and conflict of interest. Methodological considerations for systematic review articles were highlighted. Participants expressed particular interest in English editing services and manuscript formatting support.
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 provided guidance on how to revise the manuscript professionally. This session also included the key tips of 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 third session of the Editorial Series, titled “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Scientific Publishing”, was presented by Ms. Ploy Assavajamroon, Regional Journal Relations Specialist at MDPI’s Bangkok Office. The session began with a comprehensive introduction to AI technologies and their increasing influence on academic research and scholarly publishing. During the talk, she explored the capabilities and current limitations of generative AI, particularly widely used Large Language Models. She noted that although these tools can effectively assist with various research tasks, it remains essential for researchers to apply careful judgment and not rely on AI-generated outputs uncritically. Consistent with the recommendations of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), the session also outlined MDPI’s policies regarding the responsible use of AI by both authors and reviewers, with a strong emphasis on transparency and appropriate disclosure practices. To conclude, participants were introduced to a range of AI-powered tools developed by MDPI’s internal AI team, aimed at optimizing editorial processes and enhancing the overall publishing experience for authors and editors.
The fourth session, “How to Write a Well-Formatted Paper,” was delivered by Ms. Varattaya Saengchaisukhonkit. She emphasized the importance of proper formatting in improving readability, facilitating the editorial process, and enhancing the overall professionalism of a manuscript. The session introduced MDPI’s formatting framework, covering key elements such as template structure, layout format, and the effective organization of front matter, main text, and references. Emphasis was placed on how proper formatting enhances readability, streamlines the editorial and peer-review process, and increases the overall professionalism of a manuscript. The session also highlighted frequent formatting issues encountered by authors—such as low-resolution figures, inconsistent citation styles, and poorly structured tables—and provided practical guidance on how to avoid these pitfalls and meet journal requirements more effectively.
The final session, “How to Use Figures and Tables in Scientific Papers”, presented by Ms. Sirathikarn Teoh, highlighted effective visual communication techniques, including figure design and table presentation.
Overall, the workshop successfully enhanced participants’ understanding of the publication process while reinforcing collaborative ties between MDPI and Rajamangala University of Technology Isan. The event also laid a solid foundation for future academic cooperation and continued support for researchers in advancing their scholarly output.