CULTIVATING EXCELLENT ACADEMIC WRITING AMONG PPSK STUDENTS

KUBANG KERIAN, 13 June 2026 – The Academic Writing Guide Workshop 2026 was successfully conducted with the participation of 168 first-year students from various programmes under the School of Health Sciences (PPSK), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The workshop aimed to strengthen students’ knowledge and skills in producing high-quality academic writing that is systematic, evidence-based, and aligned with university academic standards.

The workshop received an encouraging response not only from USM students but also from participants representing other educational institutions, including Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and YEG Academy Sdn. Bhd. The strong participation reflected the growing recognition of academic writing skills as a fundamental component of success in higher education.

Among the participating programmes, the Nursing Programme recorded the highest participation rate, with 100% attendance involving 38 students. This was followed by the Medical Radiation Programme (97%), Nutrition Programme (96%), Audiology Programme (93%), Biomedical Science Programme (86%), Dietetics Programme (55%), Occupational and Environmental Health Programme (48%), Speech Pathology Programme (22%), and Forensic Science Programme. No participants were registered from the Exercise and Sports Science Programme for this year’s workshop.

Throughout the workshop, participants were exposed to practical guidelines and effective writing techniques to help them produce academic assignments that are well-structured, factual, and ethically sound. The workshop content was delivered through seven comprehensive modules covering key aspects of academic writing. These included Module 1: Introduction to Academic Writing, Module 2: Literature Review, Module 3: Fundamentals of Essay Writing, Module 4: Practical Report Writing, Module 5: Thesis Writing, Module 6: Common Mistakes in Academic Writing, and Module 7: Referencing Skills.

The modules were delivered by a team of experienced lecturers from PPSK, including Ts. Dr. Nurhidanatasha Abu Bakar, Dr. Shuhaila Mat Sharani, Dr. David Joseph Pereira, and several other academic staff members with expertise in their respective fields. Their presentations not only provided participants with a solid understanding of academic writing concepts and formats but also guided them in applying proper writing techniques in coursework and research activities.

The Academic Writing Guide Workshop 2026 is expected to help students develop a strong foundation in academic writing from the beginning of their university journey. These skills are essential not only for producing quality assignments but also for preparing students to undertake research projects and write theses or scholarly manuscripts in the future. The success of this workshop demonstrates PPSK’s commitment to nurturing competent, competitive, and academically excellent graduates who are well-equipped for the challenges of higher education and professional practice.