Professional and Personal Development Programme

 Profesor Dr. Hazwan Hussin (School of Chemical Sciences)
 22 August 2025 (Friday)
 9.30am-11.30am

This dynamic online workshop is designed to equip graduate students and researchers with the skills and confidence needed to excel in their thesis or dissertation oral defense. Participants will learn how to effectively structure their presentation, anticipate and respond to challenging questions, and project confidence under pressure. Through practical strategies and interactive exercises, attendees will turn rigorous preparation into a compelling performance that communicates clarity, expertise, and academic authority.

 Profesor Dr. Badrul Hisham b. Yahaya (Advanced Medical and Dental Institute)
 13 August 2025 (Wednesday)
 9.00am-12.00pm

This talk explores the vital role of the supervisor–student relationship in shaping the postgraduate research experience. A strong partnership built on trust, communication, and mutual respect can significantly enhance research quality, student well-being, and academic success. Through engaging discussions, real-world scenarios, and guided reflections, participants will learn how to navigate different supervision styles, set clear expectations, manage conflicts, and cultivate habits for proactive research progress. The session also highlights the importance of institutional support and provides tools for students to assess and strengthen their working relationships with supervisors. Designed to be interactive and reflective, this session empowers postgraduate students to take ownership of their academic journey and build collaborative, productive, and respectful partnerships with their supervisors.

 Associate Professor Dr. Siti Rohaida Binti Mohamed Zainal (School of Management)
 25 April 2024 (Thursday)
 9.00 AM - 12.00 PM

 Profesor Dr. Chong Shu Chien @ Alexander (School of Biological Sciences)
 30 May 2024  (Thursday)
 3.00 pm - 4.30 pm

Most students understandably sweat over writing the Results or Discussion of a scientific manuscript as these sections encompass the presentation and critical assessment of their research findings. However, the importance of the Introduction section is often overlooked. This talk provides some ideas on how to write an attractive, relevant, and meaningful Introduction, which sets the tone for the rest of the manuscript. This flow will deliberate on incorporating the features of novelty, research question, objectives, and hypothesis into the manuscript.

 Dr. Khairul Anuar Che Azmi (Legal Office, USM)
 24 May 2024  (Friday)
 10.00 am - 12.00 pm

When it comes to PhD research theses, there are considerable grey areas, that require academic judgement. This session is intended to provide guidelines for PhD students on the importance of - your thesis must be your own work, not that of your supervisor, another student or author of any book, journal article, report or website. Plagiarism is officially stealing others hard work without giving any credit to them. It is considered as serious offence in PhD and if anyone is found to have plagiarised the thesis more than tolerable level fixed by the University, the PhD thesis is nulled.

 Professor. Dr. Ahmad Zuhairi bin Abdullah (School of Chemical Engineering)
 9 May 2024 (Thursday)
 2.30pm - 4.30pm

This talk is essential for students facing their thesis defense. This talk provides crucial guidance, emphasizing the importance of preparation, building confidence, and effective communication. It addresses common pitfalls, helps students understand examiner expectations, and offers tips on managing post-viva outcomes. By reducing anxiety, promoting comprehensive preparation, and enhancing professional development, the talk equips students to navigate the viva voce examination successfully and transition to the next phase of their academic or professional journey.

 Profesor Dr. Andrew Tan Khee Guan (School of Social Sciences)
 20 June 2024 (Thursday)
 9.00 am - 11.00 am

This lecture discusses how should a candidate facing a viva-voce should prepare for it and what is to be expected during the actual viva-voce. Common mistakes committed during a viva-voce are also highlighted.

 Profesor Dr. Chong Shu Chien @ Alexander (School of Biological Sciences)
 12 June 2024 (Wednesday)
 2.30pm-4.00pm

This talk will engage participants in communicating their research data through the Discussion section for peer-reviewed scientific journals.  Besides merely citing works elsewhere to support one’s findings, there is room to debate and discuss contradictory results.  The talk will also highlight the importance of providing answers or solutions to the original research questions as a proper closure.  

 Associate Professor Dr. Siti Rohaida Binti Mohamed Zainal (School of Management)
 6 June 2024 (Thursday)
 9.00 am - 12.00 pm

Effective questionnaire development is a cornerstone of impactful market research. A well-designed questionnaire gathers precise, relevant data, providing actionable insights into consumer behavior and preferences. This process involves crafting clear, concise questions that align with research objectives and avoid bias. Utilizing a mix of question types, such as multiple-choice, Likert scales, and open-ended questions, ensures comprehensive data collection. In summary, a meticulously developed questionnaire not only enhances data reliability but also drives constructive discussion.

 Profesor Dato’ Dr Azhar Mat Easa (School of Industrial Technology)
 18 July 2024 (Thursday)
 10.00 am - 11.00 pm

Assisting Intelligence using Artificial Intelligence. The speaker will share how popular AI tools are used in research, teaching, and daily work to drive pro-innovation.

 Associate Professor Dr. Siti Rohaida Binti Mohamed Zainal (School of Management)
 31 July 2024 (Wednesday)
 9.00 am - 12.00 pm

Developing effective interview guides is essential for capturing valuable insights in qualitative research. The interview protocol ensures a consistent and ethical approach, outlining the interview's purpose, procedures, and confidentiality measures. By crafting clear, open-ended questions aligned with research objectives, marketers can elicit detailed and nuanced responses from participants. This flexibility allows for in-depth exploration of emerging themes, providing rich data that can drive strategic decisions. A well-designed interview guide not only enhances data quality but also deepens understanding of consumer behaviors and preferences, making it a vital tool for successful market research.

 Professor Dr. Hajar Abdul Rahim (School of Humanities)
 23 August 2024 (Friday)
 9.00a.m - 12.00p.m 

 Successful journal publication is integral to academic life as it not only disseminates original research findings but also enhances authors’ credibility and contributes to their academic field. The process involves several critical steps and procedures that researchers should be aware of when publishing their work. This seminar on writing for scholarly publication aims to help researchers understand the what, why, and how of publishing their research in reputable journals. Additionally, the seminar will include a Q&A session, providing participants with the opportunity to share their publication concerns and gain valuable information on publication matters.

 Professor Dr. Hasliza Abdul Halim (School of Management)
  21 August 2024 (Wednesday)
  10.00a.m - 12.00p.m

This topic explores into the discussion of the research, presenting critical insights drawn from the findings. It interprets these results in the context of the study's objectives and theoretical framework, offering a deeper understanding of their implications. The discussions extend these interpretations by connecting them to existing literature, highlighting the significance of the findings, addressing potential limitations, and suggesting avenues for future research.

 Dr. Khairul Anuar Che Azmi (Legal Office, USM)
 19 September 2024 (Thursday)
 10.00am-12.30pm

When it comes to PhD research theses, there are considerable grey areas, that require academic judgement. This session is intended to provide guidelines for PhD students on the importance of - your thesis must be your own work, not that of your supervisor, another student or author of any book, journal article, report or website. Plagiarism is officially stealing others hard work without giving any credit to them. It is considered as serious offence in PhD and if anyone is found to have plagiarised the thesis more than tolerable level fixed by the University, the PhD thesis is nulled.

 Dr. Siti Rahyla binti Rahmat (School of Social Sciences)
 10 September 2024 (Tuesday)
 9.30 am-12.00 pm

In this talk series, participants will be given some scenarios to evaluate themselves if they are OK or vice versa. Participant will learn grounding techniques, the importance of connect with nature and deep breathing exercises for stress relief. Participants will also learn mindfulness technique such as how to do journaling and reflections every day. Participant will also learn how to plan their research journey within time and budget limitation.

 Associate Professor Dr. Sasidharan A/L Sreenivasan (Institute for Research In Molecular Medicine)
 8 October 2024 (Tuesday)
 9.30am-12.30pm

 Profesor Dr. Chong Shu Chien @ Alexander (School of Biological Sciences)
 22 October 2024 (Tuesday)
 2.30pm-4.30pm

Most students understandably sweat over writing the Results or Discussion of a scientific manuscript as these sections encompass the presentation and critical assessment of their research findings. However, the importance of the Introduction section is often overlooked. This talk provides some ideas on how to write an attractive, relevant, and meaningful Introduction, which sets the tone for the rest of the manuscript. This flow will deliberate on incorporating the features of novelty, research question, objectives, and hypothesis into the manuscript.

 Profesor Dr. Andrew Tan Khee Guan (School of Social Sciences)
 15 October 2024 (Tuesday)
 10.00am-12.00pm

This lecture discusses the reasons for publishing in academic journals and the structure of an academic manuscript from the Arts and Social Science perspective. The various steps involved in publishing, choosing a journal, writing the cover letter, and revising a submitted paper are discussed.

How to avoid predatory/blacklisted journal: 

https://lib.usm.my/index.php/academicians-researchers/scholarly-publishing-guide?view=article&id=293&catid=35

 Dr. Fam Pei Shan (School of Mathematical Sciences)
 28 November 2024 (Thursday)
 9.00am-12.00pm

This workshop is designed to introduce postgraduate students to key statistical concepts using Minitab, a user-friendly statistical software. Participants will engage in hands-on exercises to perform basic data analysis tasks, including descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, and correlation analysis. The workshop aims to equip students with practical skills to apply statistical techniques effectively in their research, enabling them to make informed, data-driven decisions and accurately interpret their results.

 Associate Professor Dr. Siti Rohaida Binti Mohamed Zainal (School of Management)
 14 November 2024 (Thursday)
 9.00am - 12.00pm

Sampling, data collection, and analysis are core components of quantitative research that ensure the reliability and validity of findings. Sampling involves selecting a representative subset from the target population, using techniques such as probability (random) or non-probability sampling. Data collection typically employs methods like surveys, structured observations, or experiments to gather numerical data systematically. Analysis involves applying statistical techniques—ranging from descriptive statistics (e.g., mean, standard deviation) to inferential statistics (e.g., regression, hypothesis testing)—to interpret the data and draw conclusions about the broader population. These steps collectively contribute to making data-driven and generalizable inferences in quantitative studies

 Profesor Dr. Lim Jit Kang (School of Chemical Engineering)
 5 November 2024 (Tuesday)
 9.30 am - 11.30 am

In this talk, I will discuss various philosophical perspectives on publication and explain why it is essential for graduate students to publish their work. I will then introduce a paper-writing strategy proposed by Whitesides [1], which is integral to the research process. Additionally, I will cover practical aspects of publication, focusing on key tasks such as (1) crafting an engaging research paper title, (2) constructing an effective abstract, (3) creating a representative graphical abstract, (4) common mistakes to avoid in figure preparation, and (5) writing a compelling cover letter. Lastly, I will provide an overview of the publication process and highlight common pitfalls to avoid during paper submission.

 Dr. Mansour Amini (School of Languages, Literacies & Translation)
 20 February 2025 (Thursday)
 9.00am-12.00pm

This comprehensive workshop series guides participants through the essential stages of crafting a strong research proposal. In Part 1, participants learned how to write a compelling introduction that clearly defines the background, research problem, objectives, significance, and operational definitions. Part 2 will focus on conducting a thorough literature review to position the research within the existing body of knowledge. Part 3 will cover designing a robust methodology that outlines the research design, data collection, and analysis techniques. Each session is designed to build on the previous one, offering participants a clear and systematic approach to proposal writing.

 Prof. Dr. Andrew Tan Khee Guan (School of Social Sciences)
 13 March 2025 (Thursday)
 9.00am-11.00am

This lecture discusses the reasons for publishing in academic journals and the structure of an academic manuscript from the Arts and Social Science perspective. The various steps involved in publishing, choosing a journal, writing the cover letter, and revising a submitted paper are discussed.

 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Hazwan bin Hussin (School of Chemical Sciences)
 7 March 2025 (Friday)
 10.00am-12.00pm

"Mastering Review Article Writing for Postgraduates: Essential Tips and Tricks" provides postgraduates with key strategies for writing effective review articles. It covers understanding the purpose of review articles, conducting thorough research, and organizing content clearly. The guide emphasizes critical analysis, synthesizing diverse sources, and maintaining a balanced and objective tone. Practical tips on structuring the article, referencing properly, and avoiding common pitfalls ensure that students can produce high-quality, impactful reviews that contribute meaningfully to their field of study.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd. Hazwan Hussin is currently an associate professor in Industrial Chemistry Section at the School of Chemical Sciences, USM. His research area involves lignocellulosic materials, lignin, cellulose and corrosion protections (inhibition and coatings). He was listed as Top 2% Scientist in the world (under the category of citation) from 2019-2023 by Stanford University. He is also awarded Top Research Scientist Malaysia (TRSM) by Academy of Science Malaysia in the year 2023. He has published more than 150 papers of his research work in reputable journals and also presented many scientific papers in various conferences, nationally and internationally. He is an Associate Editor for Frontiers in Chemistry - Green and Sustainable Chemistry and Review Editor for Frontiers in Materials - Environmental Degradation of Materials.

 Dr. Mansour Amini (School of Languages, Literacies & Translation)
 4 March 2025 (Tuesday)
 9.00am-12.00pm

Sampling is a critical aspect of research that directly impacts the validity and generalizability of findings. This workshop delves into the various sampling techniques used in both qualitative and quantitative research. Participants will learn about probability and non-probability sampling methods, the importance of sample size, and strategies for selecting a representative sample. The session will also address the challenges and limitations of different sampling methods.

 Dr. Khairul Anuar Che Azmi (Legal Office, USM)
 17 April 2025 (Thursday)
 10.00am-12.00pm

Plagiarism and Copyright are often confused, but they are distinct concepts with different legal and ethical implications.

Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else's work, ideas, or words as one's own without proper attribution. It is primarily an ethical issue, commonly addressed in academic fields. Consequences of plagiarism include reputational damage, academic penalties, and professional consequences.

Copyright, on the other hand, is a legal violation that occurs when someone uses copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Copyright protects original works of authorship, such as thesis, books, music, films, and artworks, granting the creator exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and display their work.

In short, plagiarism concerns ethical responsibility and proper attribution, while copyright infringement involves legal rights and permissions.

By understanding the differences between Plagiarism and Copyright, you can protect both the integrity of your research and your rights as an author.

 Dr. Siti Rahyla binti Rahmat (School of Social Sciences)
 11 April 2025 (Friday)
 8.30am -11.30am

In this talk series, participants will be given some scenarios to evaluate themselves if they are OK or vice versa. Participant will learn grounding techniques, the importance of connect with nature and deep breathing exercises for stress relief. Participants will also learn mindfulness technique such as how to do journaling and reflections every day. Participant will also learn how to plan their research journey within time and budget limitation.

 Dr. Fam Pei Shan (School of Mathematical Sciences)
 20 May 2025 (Tuesday)
 9.30am - 12.30pm

This workshop is designed to help postgraduate students understand the concept of correlation and how it is used in research to examine relationships between variables. Using Minitab software, participants will learn how to perform correlation analysis, interpret the results, and visualize data through scatterplots. Hands-on exercises and practical examples from various fields will guide participants in applying correlation techniques to their own research data. No advanced statistical background is required.

 Madam Cik Ramlah binti Che Jaafar (Hamzah Sendut Library)
 8 May 2025 (Thursday)
 9.00 am-12.00 pm

Topic will cover how to identify:

•    Journals according to subject

•    Journals in indexed platform (Scopus, Web of Science, MyCite & ERA)

•    Journals quartile, impact factor and cite score

•    Discontinued journals in Scopus

•    Supressed titles in Web of Science

 Associate Professor Dr. Sasidharan Sreenivasan (Institute for Research In Molecular Medicine)
 11 June 2025 (Wednesday)
 9.30 am-12.30 pm

Are you confident in your understanding of biostatistics, or are you just running tests because someone told you to? Join us for an insightful workshop designed specifically for postgraduate students who want to build a solid foundation in biostatistical thinking. Rather than jumping straight into statistical tests, this session will focus on key concepts often misunderstood, such as the crucial difference between standard deviation (SD) and standard error of the mean (SEM), and explore the common mistakes students make when selecting statistical tests. By the end of this workshop, you will be equipped with the clarity and confidence to make informed decisions in your research and data analysis. Whether you are new to biostatistics or looking to strengthen your core understanding, this is a session you will not want to miss!

 Profesor Dr. Lim Jit Kang (School of Chemical Engineering)
 17 June 2025 (Tuesday)
 10.00 am-12.00 pm

In this workshop, I will discuss philosophical perspectives on publishing and why it is essential for graduate students to publish their work. I will also briefly cover the use of AI tools in manuscript preparation, with a focus on meeting publishers’ requirements. Additionally, I will introduce Whitesides’ paper-writing strategy, highlighting its role as an integral part of the research process [1]. Beyond these conceptual aspects, I will address practical elements of academic publishing, including: (i) crafting an effective research paper title, (ii) writing a clear and compelling abstract, (iii) designing a representative graphical abstract, (iv) avoiding common mistakes in figure preparation, and (v) writing a persuasive cover letter. Finally, I will provide an overview of the publication process and key pitfalls to avoid during paper submission.

[1] G.M. Whitesides, Adv. Mater. 2004, 16, 1375 – 1377.

 Dr. Mansour Amini (School of Languages, Literacies & Translation)
 4 June 2025 (Wesnesday)
 9.00 am-12.00 pm

Designing an effective questionnaire is crucial for collecting reliable and meaningful data in research. This workshop provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to questionnaire construction, ensuring that participants can create well-structured, clear, and respondent-friendly surveys.

 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sasidharan Sreenivasan (Institute for Research In Molecular Medicine)
 15 July 2025 (Tuesday)
 9.30 am-12.30 pm

Are you confident in your use of ANOVA, or could hidden pitfalls be compromising your research results? This talk is designed specifically for postgraduate students aiming to deepen their understanding of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and its proper application in research. We’ll start by breaking down the core theoretical assumptions behind ANOVA, highlighting common mistakes researchers make when these assumptions are overlooked. You’ll learn how to choose the right type of ANOVA for different experimental designs, including one-way, two-way, repeated measures, and mixed models. More importantly, this session will guide you through the essential steps of designing experiments suited for ANOVA analysis. From randomization and replication to blocking and balancing, you’ll gain practical tools to ensure the validity and reliability of your statistical conclusions. Whether you're planning your next experiment or analyzing data, this talk will help you approach ANOVA with confidence and clarity.

Key takeaways:

• Understand the theoretical foundations and assumptions of ANOVA

• Identify and avoid common statistical and design pitfalls

• Choose the correct ANOVA test for your research question

• Learn best practices for designing experiments suitable for ANOVA

 Professor Dr. Badrul Hisham b. Yahaya (Advanced Medical and Dental Institute)
 17 July 2025 (Thursday)
 9.00 am-12.00 pm

Are you a postgraduate student navigating the thesis writing process? In my talk, I'll explore key insights from my experience as an academic examiner, offering practical advice to help you transform your thesis into a compelling piece of academic work. Building on the core themes of my work, Thesis Writing and Examiners' Expectations, this discussion is tailored for both new and experienced postgraduate students. I’ll highlight the essential components of a well-structured thesis and provide a deep dive into what examiners look for, ensuring you're prepared to meet and exceed their expectations. From selecting the right topic to crafting research questions, conducting literature reviews, presenting strong arguments, and drawing meaningful conclusions, this session will equip you with the tools needed to produce a thesis that stands out. Join me to gain valuable insights into the mind of an examiner and unlock the strategies to master your thesis journey with confidence!