Introduction:
In today’s academic world, the meaning of being a “scholar” has changed a lot. Writing is no longer just about putting words on paper; it has become a process where human thinking and artificial intelligence work together. The National Workshop on Academic Writing, held from 27 January to 1 February 2026 at the Department of English, Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University (MKBU), was not only a training programme but also a meaningful academic experience that changed the way participants understood writing and research.
The workshop was organized by the Department of English, MKBU in collaboration with the Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat (KCG). It was designed to go beyond teaching only what academic writing is. Instead, it focused on how writing works and why it is important in today’s digital and AI-driven world. Through expert lectures, discussions, and practical sessions, the workshop encouraged participants to improve their writing skills while learning how to use technology responsibly without losing human creativity and originality.
About the Workshop:
The National Workshop on Academic Writing was conceptualized to explore the intersection between natural intelligence and artificial intelligence in academic research and pedagogy. The workshop aimed to help students and scholars preserve human creativity while ethically using AI tools.
Here is The Final Schedule of the Sessions:
Inaugural Ceremony:
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Date: 27 January 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Venue: New Court Hall, Administrative Building, MKBU
The inaugural ceremony of the National Workshop on Academic Writing marked an inspiring beginning to the week-long academic programme. As a participant, I experienced an atmosphere filled with enthusiasm, curiosity, and scholarly excitement. The event began with the university song and a prayer, creating a respectful academic environment. A meaningful gesture followed in which the dignitaries were welcomed with books instead of flowers, symbolizing the value of knowledge and learning.
The ceremony was graced by distinguished academicians including Prof. B. B. Ramanuj, Hon. Vice-Chancellor of MKBU, Dr. K. M. Joshi, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and Dr. Dilip Barad, Head of the Department of English and the key coordinator of the workshop. Their presence highlighted the academic importance of the event. Scholars such as Dr. Paresh Joshi and Dr. Kalyan Chattopadhyay shared insightful reflections on the changing nature of education in the era of Artificial Intelligence. They encouraged participants to think critically about the relationship between human intelligence and AI, emphasizing that technology should assist learning but must never replace human creativity and original thinking.
The speakers also discussed the historical evolution of writing from ancient cave inscriptions and classical linguistic traditions to modern digital platforms and prompt engineering. An important discussion focused on global academic standards, where the speakers explained that although India produces a large number of research theses, its global citation impact still needs improvement. The workshop was therefore presented not only as training in academic writing or preparation for examinations like NET and JRF, but also as a step toward improving research quality and developing strong scholarly identity.
By the end of the ceremony, I felt deeply motivated to enhance my academic writing skills while maintaining ethical responsibility and critical thinking. The inaugural session established the guiding philosophy of the workshop “Preserving the Human in the Human.” It reminded us that while AI tools are powerful, true scholarship ultimately depends on human insight, sensitivity, and integrity.
Session 1&2 : Academic Writing and Prompt Engineering
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Speaker: Dr. Paresh Joshi
Date: 27 January 2026
Time: Session: 1 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM and Session: 2 | 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Venue: New Court Hall, MKBU Day : 1
The first academic session introduced participants to the fundamentals of academic writing along with the emerging concept of prompt engineering in AI-assisted research. Dr. Paresh Joshi explained that academic writing differs from creative writing because it requires objectivity, clarity, logical organization, and evidence-based arguments. He demonstrated how Artificial Intelligence tools respond according to the quality of prompts given by users and introduced a structured prompt model consisting of role, task, context, constraints, and output format. He also warned about AI hallucinations, where AI may generate inaccurate or fabricated information.
My Learning Outcome
Dr. Paresh Joshi’s session on Academic Writing and Prompt Engineering helped me develop a deeper understanding of how academic writing differs from creative writing by emphasizing clarity, objectivity, and logical organization. I learned that effective scholarly communication requires careful structuring of ideas and precise language rather than personal expression. The introduction to prompt engineering was particularly insightful, as it showed how well-designed prompts built through role, task, context, constraints, and output format can guide AI tools to produce meaningful and academically useful responses.
The session also made me more aware of the ethical responsibilities involved in using AI for academic purposes. Understanding the concept of AI hallucinations encouraged me to verify information critically instead of relying blindly on generated content. I realized that AI should function as an assistant that supports research through editing, idea organization, and guidance, while human judgment and originality must remain central. Overall, the session strengthened my ability to use digital tools thoughtfully and responsibly within academic writing.
Session 1 to 4 : Advanced Academic Writing by Prof. Kalyan Chattopadhyay
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Day : 1 | 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM (Session: 1) and 3:30 PM to 4:45 PM (Session: 2)
Day : 2 | 10:00 AM to 11:30 PM (Session : 3) 11:30 PM to 12:45 PM (Session : 4)
Speaker: Dr. Kalyan Chattopadhyay
Dates: 27–28 January 2026 Day : 1 and 2 Venue: Department of English MKBU
Dr. Kalyan Chattopadhyay’s sessions focused on advanced academic writing techniques and scholarly expression. He emphasized that effective academic writing requires clarity, precision, formal tone, and structured reasoning. One of the most impactful concepts he discussed was the idea of the “Authorial I,” encouraging scholars to confidently present their arguments rather than hiding behind passive expressions. He also introduced the IMRaD structure Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion as a logical framework for research writing. Additionally, he explained hedging techniques that allow scholars to present claims cautiously while maintaining academic credibility.
My Learning Outcome
This session helped me understand that academic writing is not only about presenting information but about communicating ideas with discipline and intellectual responsibility. I learned how formality, objectivity, clarity, and precision shape effective scholarly writing and how these qualities distinguish academic discourse from everyday expression. The concept of the Authorial I encouraged me to develop confidence in presenting my own arguments, allowing me to take ownership of my research voice while maintaining academic professionalism.
I also gained practical insight into structuring research through the IMRaD model, which provides a clear and logical pathway for organizing scholarly work. Learning about hedging techniques showed me how scholars present arguments carefully when certainty is limited, balancing confidence with caution. Overall, the session transformed my perspective on academic writing, helping me evolve from simply reporting ideas to expressing them thoughtfully, responsibly, and with a stronger academic identity.
Session 1 to 4 : Publishing in Indexed Journals by Dr. Clament Ndoricimpa
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Day: 2 | 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM (Session: 1) and 3:30 PM to 4:45 PM (Session: 2)
Day: 3 | 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM (Session: 3) and 3:30 PM to 4:45 PM (Session: 4)
Speaker: Dr. Clement Ndoricimpa
Dates: 28–29 January 2026
Mode: Virtual Session (International)
These sessions provided valuable insights into international academic publishing. Dr. Clement Ndoricimpa explained the importance of publishing in indexed journals such as Scopus and Web of Science and highlighted the need for identifying research gaps through engagement with recent scholarship. He introduced citation management tools like Mendeley and explained the peer-review process followed by reputed journals. The discussion emphasized originality, ethical citation practices, and the importance of avoiding plagiarism.
My Learning Outcome
Dr. Clement Ndoricimpa’s session broadened my understanding of academic publishing by introducing me to the global expectations and professional standards followed by internationally indexed journals. I realized that successful research publication is not only about writing well but about identifying a meaningful research gap and contributing something original to the existing body of knowledge. The session helped me see research as a strategic and thoughtful process that requires awareness of current scholarship and clear academic positioning.
I also learned the practical importance of tools and ethics in scholarly publishing. Understanding how reference managers like Mendeley support accurate citation and organization made the research process appear more systematic and manageable. The discussion on plagiarism checks before peer review reinforced the necessity of originality and academic honesty at every stage of writing. Overall, this session encouraged me to approach publishing with greater responsibility, preparation, and confidence, viewing research as a contribution to a wider global academic conversation rather than merely an academic requirement.
Session 1&2 : AI Hallucinations and Research Integrity by Dr. Nigam Dave
Speaker: Dr. Nigam Dave
Date: 29 January 2026
Venue: Department of English MKBU
Dr. Nigam Dave addressed the ethical challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence in academic writing. He explained how AI tools sometimes produce misleading references or incorrect information and demonstrated responsible ways of using AI for proofreading, formatting, and idea organization. He introduced the concept of “AI policing AI,” where technology itself can help verify digital outputs.
My Learning Outcome
Dr. Nigam Dave’s session significantly deepened my awareness of the ethical dimensions involved in using artificial intelligence within academic research and writing. I came to understand that while AI tools can enhance efficiency and productivity, they also demand careful and responsible use. The concept of AI hallucination helped me realize that technology can sometimes produce convincing yet inaccurate information, making human verification and critical thinking essential parts of the research process.
The session also guided me toward a more ethical and balanced approach to digital tools in academia. I learned that AI should be used primarily for supportive tasks such as proofreading, formatting, and improving clarity rather than generating original scholarly arguments. The idea of “AI policing AI” introduced a new perspective on maintaining authenticity in academic work. Overall, this session strengthened my commitment to research integrity, reminding me that credibility in academia ultimately depends on honesty, careful evaluation, and the researcher’s own intellectual responsibility.
Session 1 to 8 : Career Guidance and NET Preparation by Dr. Kalyani Vallath
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Day: 4 Part : 1 | 10:00 AM to 11:30 PM and 11:30 AM to 12:45 PM (Session: 1&2)
Part : 2 | 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM and 3:30 PM to 4:45 PM (Session: 3&4)
Day: 4 Part : 3 | 10:00 AM to 11:30 PM and 11:30 AM to 12:45 PM (Session: 5&6)
Part : 4 | 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM and 3:30 PM to 4:45 PM (Session: 7&8)
Speaker: Dr. Kalyani Vallath
Dates: 30–31 January 2026
Venue: Department of English MKBU
The final sessions focused on academic career development and preparation for competitive examinations such as UGC-NET. Dr. Kalyani Vallath emphasized that modern examinations assess analytical thinking rather than memorization. She introduced strategies like reverse planning and discussed the Zone of Proximal Development to explain gradual intellectual growth. She also encouraged students to build academic portfolios and maintain continuous learning habits.
My Learning Outcome
Dr. Kalyani Vallath’s session on Career & NET Preparation transformed my understanding of academic success by encouraging me to look beyond examinations and focus on long-term intellectual growth. I realized that the UGC NET is no longer centered on memorization but on analytical thinking, interpretation, and conceptual clarity. This shift helped me rethink my preparation strategy, motivating me to study with deeper understanding rather than surface-level learning. The idea of reverse planning particularly influenced me, as it demonstrated how clear goals can guide every stage of research and academic development.
The session also broadened my perspective on building a meaningful academic career. Learning about the Zone of Proximal Development made me recognize the importance of continuously challenging myself to grow beyond my comfort zone. I understood that developing a strong academic portfolio through research work, presentations, and continuous learning is essential in today’s evolving academic world. Overall, the session inspired me to adopt a future-oriented mindset one that values lifelong learning, adaptability, and purposeful academic engagement while shaping myself into a confident and reflective scholar.
Conclusion:
The National Workshop on Academic Writing concluded not merely as an academic event, but as a transformative learning journey that reshaped my understanding of scholarship, research, and professional growth. Throughout the sessions, one message became clear examinations like NET or JRF are not just qualifications but gateways that open new academic and global opportunities. The workshop helped me realize that academic success is built not only on knowledge but also on critical thinking, ethical writing practices, and continuous self-development.
Each session contributed a unique layer to this learning experience: clarity in academic expression, responsibility in using AI, confidence in authorial identity, and strategic planning for research and career building. As participants, we now move forward with stronger intellectual confidence and practical skills, ready to contribute to the Digital Resource Hub created at MKBU. What began as curiosity and even a little hesitation gradually transformed into inspiration and self-belief. This workshop equipped us with what may truly be called a scholarly “engine” powered by clarity, logic, creativity, and courage, enabling us to move from classroom learning toward meaningful participation in the global academic community.
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