Announcements

MDPI was pleased to partner with the Faculty of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Naresuan University in Phitsanulok on 20 July 2026 for an Academic Publishing Workshop dedicated to strengthening research capacity and academic publishing skills. The event was officially opened by Asst. Prof. Dr. Chanin Umpornsatira, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, who welcomed the MDPI speaker team and highlighted the faculty’s commitment to advancing research quality and international publication among its faculty members and students.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Chanin Umpornsatira, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Naresuan University, delivered the opening remarks for the training workshop. He welcomed the MDPI team and highlighted the value of the workshop in providing researchers with practical guidance on manuscript submission and the publishing process. He noted that many faculty members have published with MDPI and emphasized that publications in MDPI journals are recognized for academic promotion and student graduation requirements. As each publisher has its own peer-review process and submission system, he expressed his hope that the workshop would provide participants with useful insights, practical submission techniques, and an introduction to relevant journals. He concluded by encouraging attendees to make the most of the session and gain valuable knowledge to support their future publications.

The first session was delivered by Dr. Siriporn Tantiwatcharothai, Regional Engagement Editor at the MDPI Bangkok Office. She introduced MDPI and highlighted that 42 MDPI journals are currently indexed as Tier 1 journals in the Scopus database, many of which align well with the university’s research strengths and faculty expertise. She also shared insights into current trends in open access publishing and presented an overview of Naresuan University’s publication profile. In addition, she introduced several MDPI journals that may be of particular interest to the audience, including the Animal Science and Aquatic Sciences journal clusters, highlighting them as valuable platforms for both publishing and accessing high-quality research in these fields.

The session, “How to Write Scientific Papers”, was delivered by Dr. Juthathip Poofery, Editorial Team Leader and Regional Engagement Editor. The presentation provided practical guidance on preparing a publishable scientific manuscript, highlighting the importance of a clear manuscript structure, effective scientific writing, and the accurate presentation of research. Participants were introduced to key elements of manuscript preparation, including title and abstract development, keyword selection, and the ethical and transparency statements required to support research integrity. The session concluded with an interactive discussion, during which participants sought advice on several aspects of the publication process. Questions focused on whether authors should use institutional or personal email addresses for manuscript submission, factors to consider when selecting an appropriate journal for their research, and the availability of article processing charge (APC) support and discount opportunities. These discussions provided attendees with practical guidance for making informed decisions throughout the publication process.

The third session, titled “How to Respond to Peer Reviewers and Reasons for Rejection during Pre-Check”, was presented by Ms. Hathaipat Kittirojana, a Regional Engagement Editor. She discussed the peer-review process at MDPI and guided the audience through how to revise the manuscript professionally. This session also included the common reasons for rejection at pre-check. She also offered practical advice for responding to reviewers and shared insights into the types of feedback authors may face during revisions. In conclusion, she encouraged the audience to remain positive, open-minded, and professional when replying to reviewers.

The workshop concluded with an engaging session on “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Scientific Publishing”, presented by Ms. Ploy Assavajamroon, Regional Engagement Editor at MDPI's Bangkok office. The session highlighted the rapid advancement of AI technologies and their transformative impact on research and scholarly publishing. Attendees gained insight into the opportunities and challenges associated with generative AI, particularly the use of large language models in supporting academic work. Emphasis was placed on the need to validate AI-generated information and to apply these tools responsibly in research activities. Additionally, the session introduced the ethical framework governing AI use in publishing, including guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and MDPI’s policies on transparency and disclosure. The presentation concluded with demonstrations of MDPI’s AI-powered tools, showcasing their potential to improve efficiency and facilitate a more seamless publishing process for the academic community.

The workshop offered researchers, graduate students, and academic staff at Naresuan University a valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of academic publishing, from manuscript preparation through peer review and the responsible use of AI in research writing. By combining practical training with direct engagement with MDPI’s editorial team, the event marked a meaningful step in supporting the Faculty of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment’s efforts to enhance the quality and global visibility of its research output.