Workshop Series Grows with Graduate Research Needs

This semester, the Library’s graduate workshop series expanded to offer more sessions and new topics.

Titled 'Foundations for Academic Success', this joint series with the NIE Graduate Student Club (GSC) has evolved from the initial 2-workshop series in January 2024 to the latest edition with four workshops in February 2025. The lineup included evergreen basics on how to do a solid literature review by searching academic databases efficiently. New sessions that reflect where research is heading—think AI tools for productivity or the ethical implications of using those tools in academic work were also added.

The latest round featured guest speaker, NIE Academic Integrity Officer, Associate Professor Ho Weng Kin who delivered a much-anticipated session on how to use generative AI tools ethically.

A new workshop on data analysis was also added. The well-attended session was conducted by two NIE PhD students, Azrifah binte Zakaria and Jia Yichen, who is also the President of NIE GSC.

The goal? To meet graduate students where they are, whether they’re just starting their thesis or deep in data analysis. From the lively Q&A and turn-up for the sessions, it looks like the mix is hitting the mark.

Watch out for the next round of workshops—and let us know what topics you would like to see next.

This semester’s highlights:

• Mastering Database Search for Academic Excellence

• AI Tools for Literature Search

• Upholding Academic Integrity in the Age of Generative AI

• Introduction to Statistical Analysis: From Concepts to Practice