National Workshop on Academic Writing

National Workshop on Academic Writing

This blog records my participation in the National Workshop on Academic Writing conducted by the Department of English at Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University (MKBU), in collaboration with the Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat (KCG), Government of Gujarat. Spanning five intensive days, the workshop brought together eminent scholars who addressed key aspects such as academic writing, the ethical use of artificial intelligence, research methodology, publication processes, UGC NET preparation, and academic career development. Through a combination of expert lectures, interactive discussions, and hands-on sessions, the programme provided valuable insights into how academic knowledge is produced, communicated, and validated. It enhanced my understanding of research ethics and scholarly writing while also deepening my critical awareness of contemporary academic issues. Overall, the workshop was a demanding yet highly rewarding experience that made a meaningful contribution to my academic development.

All the information related to this workshop will be recorded and preserved here.

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The workshop commenced with a formal inaugural ceremony attended by distinguished dignitaries, faculty members, research scholars, and students. The event began with a welcome address, followed by the university song and prayer, symbolising respect for knowledge and academic tradition. The dignitaries, including the Honourable Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Dean, and invited experts, were welcomed through the ceremonial presentation of books. In his address, Dilip Barad outlined the objectives of the workshop, emphasising the contemporary challenge of balancing human intelligence with artificial intelligence in academic practices. The plenary lectures by Paresh Joshi and Kalyan Chattopadhyay provided valuable perspectives on the evolution of academic writing, the importance of creativity and critical thinking, and the relevance of Indian knowledge traditions in modern education.

The first session focused on “Academic Writing and Prompt Engineering,” where Prof. Paresh Joshi explained the fundamental nature of academic writing. He distinguished it from creative writing by highlighting its objective, logical, and evidence-based character. Academic writing was described as a scholarly conversation involving reviewing literature, analysing ideas, and contributing original insights. He also discussed the writing process, including planning, drafting, revising, and proofreading. The session further introduced prompt engineering as a crucial skill in the age of AI, teaching participants how to frame precise instructions for effective AI responses. Ethical use of AI was strongly emphasised, encouraging students to use it as a support tool rather than a substitute for independent thinking.

The subsequent sessions conducted by Dr. Kalyan Chattopadhyay provided an advanced understanding of academic writing as a formal and rhetorical practice. He highlighted key features such as formality, clarity, objectivity, and precision, and explained how these operate in research writing. The sessions focused on structuring research papers, developing arguments, and maintaining coherence. Special attention was given to authorial voice, demonstrating how researchers can balance objectivity with personal presence. The importance of hedging was also discussed, enabling scholars to present claims cautiously and responsibly. Additionally, citation practices were explained as rhetorical tools for positioning research within existing scholarship.

The sessions led by Dr. Clement Ndoricimpa focused on writing research papers suitable for publication in indexed journals such as Scopus and Web of Science. He explained the importance of structured writing using the IMRD format and emphasised the role of the introduction in establishing research significance. The need for proper referencing, use of academic language, and avoidance of plagiarism was strongly highlighted. He also introduced reference management tools like Mendeley and explained various citation styles. Ethical concerns regarding AI usage were addressed, stressing that AI should assist in editing and refinement but not replace original intellectual work.

A particularly insightful session was conducted by Nigam Dave on “Detecting AI Hallucination and Using AI with Integrity.” He explained how AI can generate misleading or fabricated information and emphasised the importance of verification and critical thinking. The session highlighted that while AI is a powerful tool, it must be used responsibly, with human oversight ensuring accuracy and credibility in academic work.

The sessions conducted by Kalyani Vallath focused on academic writing, UGC NET preparation, and career development. She emphasised that writing is a skill developed through practice and introduced strategies such as mind mapping, reverse planning, and free writing. Her sessions also provided valuable insights into understanding literature, literary theories, and examination strategies, encouraging a growth-oriented academic mindset.

The final session by Dilip Barad addressed the creation of multimodal digital content in line with modern educational policies. He highlighted the importance of integrating technology with pedagogy and demonstrated how AI tools can be used to create structured, reliable educational resources. The concept of a digital resource hub and learner-centred education was particularly emphasised.

In end, the workshop was an intellectually enriching and transformative experience. It provided a comprehensive understanding of academic writing as a disciplined, ethical, and evolving practice. By integrating traditional scholarly methods with modern technological tools, the programme significantly enhanced my research skills, critical thinking, and academic confidence, preparing me for future academic and professional challenges.