An author training workshop was held by MDPI Singapore at NTU's School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) on 29 August 2024, and we are pleased to share that it was a resounding success. This engaging event was designed to equip researchers, scholars, and aspiring authors with essential skills and knowledge for a successful academic publishing career.

The session was hosted by Mr. Le Hoang Minh, the current Academic Vice President of the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Graduate Students' Club (MAEGSC) and a first-year Ph.D. student at NTU. The Ex-Vice President, Mr. Kumar Sourabh, and the Social Vice President, Dr. Anurag Sharma, were also in attendance to manage and coordinate the event.

The workshop commenced with an engaging opening speech by Ms. Soe Yu Nwe (Yuna), the Office Manager and PR Specialist of MDPI Singapore, who provided a comprehensive introduction to MDPI and its Singapore office. Ms. Soe outlined the company’s mission to promote open scientific exchange and communication, emphasizing how MDPI’s Singapore office plays a crucial role in supporting these objectives within the region.

Following her opening remarks, Ms. Soe presented an insightful session on “How to Respond to Peer Reviewers.” In her presentation, she first outlined the workflow of MDPI's editorial process, before providing practical strategies for effectively addressing feedback from peer reviewers, a critical aspect of the academic publishing process. Ms. Soe offered guidance on how to approach reviewer comments constructively, reiterating the importance of clarity, professionalism, and thoroughness in responses. She outlined the best practices for addressing major revisions and highlighted common pitfalls to avoid. Her presentation aimed to equip attendees with the tools and techniques necessary to enhance their manuscript revisions and improve their chances of successful publication. Her session concluded with a quiz, and participants who gave the most correct answers were awarded a small gift package comprising MDPI merchandise.

The second session of the author training workshop was led by Dr. Wei Thye Lee, the Institutional Partnerships Manager for MDPI, who oversees collaboration with institutions across the Asia-Pacific (APAC).  He gave a comprehensive presentation on “How to Structure and Write an Academic Paper”, which was sectioned into three subcategories of (1) the preparation needed before writing a paper, (2) the basic structure of an academic paper, and (3) crafting a cover letter and contacting MDPI author services. He began by emphasizing the essential preparatory steps before starting a paper, including the importance of establishing a solid framework, conducting a thorough literature search, and understanding the novelty of one’s research. His session covered the essential components of a well-structured paper, ranging from crafting a compelling introduction to presenting results effectively. At the end of his presentation, he included a slide on career opportunities at MDPI, reaching out to scholars who might be interested in exploring professional opportunities with the organization.

The final presentation focused on research-specific content and was delivered by Dr. Colin Wee, the Publishing Manager and Journal Relations Lead. Dr. Wee provided an in-depth review of tools and techniques for identifying trends and hot topics within a research field. He introduced attendees to software such as VOSviewer, demonstrating how these tools can aid in visualizing and analyzing bibliometric data. Additionally, he covered effective strategies for using Web of Science to enhance research visibility and understanding, as well as explaining how journals are indexed and the significance of common bibliometrics.

The last part of the workshop was highly interactive; Dr. Wee engaged the audience by asking participants to raise their hands to indicate their experience with various research tools and techniques, fostering an engaging and dynamic learning environment. His presentation offered practical guidance on leveraging these resources to stay informed and competitive in the ever-evolving landscape of academic research.

After the presentations by our dedicated speakers from MDPI, Mr. Le from NTU delivered the closing speech, wrapping up the session with a heartfelt thank you. He expressed gratitude for the collaboration and emphasized the value of the insights shared throughout the day. Mr. Le also conveyed his enthusiasm for participating in future training sessions and expressed hope for continued partnership and growth in our collaborative efforts.

Light refreshments were kindly provided by the student leaders, which allowed attendees to network after the presentations. Students could also engage with the speakers, approaching them for private discussions and seeking clarification on various queries. The leaders of the student committee expressed that they would like to maintain a strong relationship with us and facilitate connections with professors involved in similar fields.

In light of the successful event, we are grateful for the opportunity to host this event at NTU and appreciate the warm hospitality extended by the NTU MAE community. Moving forward, we foresee extending author training sessions to other faculties at NTU, further enhancing collaborative opportunities and broadening the impact of our educational initiatives.

For the readers interested in collaborating through academic events, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]!