JOHOR BAHRU, Mar 19 – The Postgraduate Student Society (PGSS) Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), successfully conducted the Virtual AI Tools for Research Project, delivered by Dr. Zulfaqar Sa’adi, a postdoctoral researcher at Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Water Security (IPASA), UTM. The event saw an overwhelming response, with 351 participants engaging in an insightful session on the benefits of AI in academic research.

Dr. Zulfaqar Sa’adi commenced the session by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share his knowledge, which he largely gained through his extensive research experience at UTM. He emphasized that leveraging Artificial intelligence (AI) tools can significantly enhance research productivity, streamline workflows, and improve the overall quality of academic publications.

Throughout his presentation, Dr. Zulfaqar underscored the importance of learning from experience, stating that the most effective way to accelerate research progress is by adopting best practices from seasoned researchers. He reflected on his own journey under the mentorship of Prof. Shamsuddin Shahid, one of Malaysia’s top 2% scientists, highlighting how mentorship and collaboration have played a crucial role in his academic growth.

Dr. Zulfaqar further elaborated on the transformative impact of AI tools, particularly in academic writing, data analysis, and research networking. He shared that since incorporating AI into his workflow, his publication rate has significantly increased, with published over 49 research articles, including 62 under peer reviewed. He credited AI for enabling researchers to work smarter and more efficiently, facilitating global collaborations, and enhancing research output.

A key aspect of the webinar focused on the concept of ‘prompt engineering,’ which Dr. Zulfaqar described as an emerging discipline in AI research. He explained that well-structured prompts in AI-powered tools such as ChatGPT can yield high-quality responses, allowing researchers to optimize their work processes. The session also touched on the importance of research templates in Microsoft Word, which can aid in document structuring, navigation, and consistency—further simplifying the research and publishing process.

The event concluded with an insightful discussion on the future of AI in academia. Dr. Zulfaqar encouraged participants to embrace AI as a means of enhancing their research capabilities while maintaining ethical integrity. He emphasized that while AI tools provide substantial assistance, the human element of critical thinking and innovation remains irreplaceable.

Participants left the webinar with a deeper understanding of how AI can be integrated into their research practices. The session not only highlighted the potential of AI but also provided practical strategies for postgraduate students to boost their research efficiency and scholarly contributions. One participant described the session as “very useful,” noting that it shed light on the practical use of AI in research. Another attendee found the discussion “insightful,” emphasizing the importance of AI in academic writing and data processing.

While participants recognized the session’s value, some suggested that hands-on demonstrations could further enhance the learning experience. Others echoed this sentiment, recommending interactive demonstrations to better understand AI tools in action.

The session underscored the growing importance of AI in academic and research fields, reinforcing the need for both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice to maximize AI’s potential.

With the rapid advancements in AI technology, initiatives such as the Virtual AI Tools for Research Project play a vital role in equipping researchers with the necessary skills to navigate the evolving academic landscape. The PGSS Faculty of Science at UTM continues to support such initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to fostering a research-driven and technologically adept academic community. This program was organized under the supervision of the PGSS Faculty of Science advisor, Dr. Muhammad Helmi Nadri, with the assistance of several members, including Abellyna Abraham, Muhammad Shawal Shafiee, Abubakar Umar, Nurul Najihah Rawi, Chua Jia Jun, and Mustapha Mohammed Karagama.

By Nik Ihtisyam Majdah Nik Razi, Director of Virtual AI Tools for Research Project, Community of PGSS Faculty of Science

Source: UTM NewsHub