An author training workshop was recently held at the University of Southampton Malaysia, and it was a resounding success! We were thrilled to welcome a diverse group of participants, from seasoned academics to aspiring authors, who came together to learn more about the intricacies and processes of manuscript publication and how to chart a smooth publishing journey.

The training was chaired by Associate Professor Dr. Kok Hoe Wong, a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Southampton Malaysia. He kicked off the session by welcoming the participants and providing an overview of the day’s agenda and program.

Following Dr. Wong's introduction, Dr. Colin Wee, Publishing Manager at MDPI, took the stage to share insights into MDPI's work and its global reach. Dr. Wee began by explaining the concepts of open science and open access, emphasizing their importance in fostering collaboration, transparency, and accessibility in research.

He also highlighted MDPI's commitment to publishing high-quality research and contributing to the advancement of knowledge in various fields. Additionally, Dr. Wee discussed several MDPI journals that Dr. Wong and Dr. Jo-han Ng—other esteemed faculty members of the school—have contributed to, showcasing the diverse range of research areas covered by the publisher.

The second half of the training featured a presentation by Ms. Maja Dragojevic, a Section Managing Editor from MDPI's Belgrade office in Serbia. Ms. Dragojevic tackled a crucial topic for authors: common reasons for manuscript rejection during the pre-check process.

She shed light on the essential elements editors look for in submissions, emphasizing factors like clarity, originality, and strict adherence to journals’ guidelines. Ms. Dragojevic then delved into specific pitfalls that can lead to rejections, particularly during the first review. She highlighted common rejection reasons, ranging from minor presentation issues and improper referencing to more serious concerns like factual inaccuracies, scientific flaws, and plagiarism.

During the Q&A session for this topic, a participant raised the issue of formatting inconsistencies across different publishers. We assured participants that while formatting guidelines can vary, strict adherence to these guidelines is essential for a smooth review process. While rare, formatting errors can lead to rejection. MDPI's editorial team is committed to assisting authors with formatting during the initial pre-check stages, ensuring a seamless submission experience.

Continuing from that, Ms. Dragojevic went on to discuss one of the most crucial aspects of open access publishing: the peer review process. She began by outlining MDPI's editorial process, from submission to publication. She emphasized the importance of understanding the different stages and key decisions made by reviewers during the review process. Next, she covered essential topics such as understanding peer reviewer recommendations, effectively responding to major revisions, and revising manuscripts for publication.

Following Ms. Dragojevic's presentation, a lively Q&A session ensued. One participant inquired about the process of establishing a new journal. Ms. Dragojevic explained that MDPI carefully evaluates potential Editors-in-Chief, considering their qualifications and experience. Additionally, thorough research is conducted to assess the feasibility and potential benefits of launching a new journal.

Another question focused on the workload of Editors-in-Chief. Ms. Dragojevic emphasized that MDPI provides extensive support to its Editors-in-Chief, easing the burden of administrative tasks. Ultimately, Editors-in-Chief play a pivotal role in making key decisions for the journals they manage.

To conclude the training, Dr. Wong delivered a heartfelt closing speech, thanking participants for their attendance and active engagement. As a token of appreciation, MDPI exchanged gifts with the University of Southampton Malaysia.

The event concluded with a group photo and a casual tea session hosted by the university, providing participants with an opportunity to network and further discuss the topics covered during the training.

MDPI extends its sincere gratitude to the University of Southampton Malaysia for inviting us to conduct this author training. We were honoured to share our expertise and support the academic community.

We look forward to future opportunities for collaboration, beyond author training.

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