Medan, August 13, 2026 — The English Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU), successfully organized an International Webinar entitled “Reimagining Academic Research in a Changing World: Navigating the Publication Journey” on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The webinar was conducted online through Zoom Meeting and brought together lecturers, students, and academic participants from various institutions in Indonesia.
The international academic forum featured Abdul Qawi Noori (Ph.D. Candidate), Sessional Academic at Monash University, Australia, as the speaker. The webinar was organized as part of the English Education Study Program’s commitment to strengthening research capacity, developing a culture of academic publication, and expanding international academic engagement among lecturers and students. The event also provided participants with an opportunity to gain international perspectives on contemporary academic research and scholarly publication.
The webinar was officially opened by Dra. Hj. Syamsuyurnita, M.Pd., Dean of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara. In her remarks, she emphasized the importance of strengthening research and publication competencies among lecturers and students as part of efforts to develop a stronger academic culture and enhance the competitiveness of the academic community.
“Research and publication are important components of academic development. Through activities such as this international webinar, our lecturers and students can broaden their perspectives, learn from international academic experiences, and strengthen their capacity to contribute to the global academic community,” said Dra. Hj. Syamsuyurnita, M.Pd.
Prior to the Dean’s opening remarks, Dr. Pirman Ginting, S.Pd., M.Hum., Head of the English Education Study Program, delivered his welcome remarks. He highlighted the importance of providing students and lecturers with opportunities to interact directly with international academics and gain insights into research and publication practices beyond their immediate academic environment.
“We want our students and lecturers to see research and publication not as something that should be feared, but as an important part of academic development. Through international academic forums like this, we hope they can gain new perspectives and become more confident in taking their research to the international publication arena,” said Dr. Pirman Ginting.
During the main session, Abdul Qawi Noori shared his insights and experiences regarding the changing landscape of academic research and the challenges researchers face in bringing their research from an initial idea to a published scholarly work. The discussion covered important aspects of the publication journey, including developing research ideas, identifying meaningful research gaps, conducting research, preparing manuscripts, selecting appropriate journals, submitting articles, responding to reviewers, revising manuscripts, and working toward successful publication.
The topic was particularly relevant to students, lecturers, and early-career researchers who are developing their research interests and seeking opportunities to disseminate their findings through academic publications. The session encouraged participants to view research and publication as a continuous academic journey that requires critical thinking, preparation, persistence, and the ability to respond constructively to academic feedback.
The webinar also attracted participants from a diverse range of institutions. Based on the registration data, the event received 40 registration responses representing 38 unique participants from 17 institutions and affiliations. Of these, 21 registrations came from UMSU, while 19 registrations came from institutions outside UMSU.
Participants from outside UMSU represented 16 different institutions and affiliations, including Universitas Negeri Makassar, Universitas Internasional Batam, Tadulako University, UIN Sumatera Utara, Universitas Tridinanti Palembang, Universitas Perintis Indonesia, Universitas Bina Sarana Informatika, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jawa Timur, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, UIN Malang, and Universitas Lampung. Participants also joined from Namira Islamic Elementary School, STMIK Pelita Nusantara, and CHANDRA KUMALA SCHOOL, as well as an independent participant.
The participation of academics and students from institutions outside UMSU demonstrated the broader reach of the English Education Study Program’s academic activities. It also reflected the potential of international academic forums to facilitate knowledge sharing, academic networking, and collaboration among participants from different institutional backgrounds.
According to Selamat Husni Hasibuan, Ph.D., Secretary of the English Education Study Program and Chair of the Organizing Committee, the webinar was designed not merely as a one-time academic event but as part of the program’s broader effort to strengthen a sustainable research and publication culture.
“This webinar is part of our effort to build a stronger research and publication culture within the English Education Study Program. We want our students and lecturers to understand that the publication process is a journey that requires preparation, persistence, critical thinking, and the willingness to learn from feedback,” said Selamat Husni Hasibuan, Ph.D.
He further explained that inviting international academics to participate in the program’s academic activities provides valuable opportunities for students and lecturers to gain exposure to different academic traditions, research practices, and perspectives.
“We hope this activity will encourage our students and lecturers to move from simply conducting research to actively communicating their research findings to a wider academic community. International collaboration and academic networking will also continue to be important priorities for our program,” he added.
Following the main presentation, the webinar continued with an interactive Question and Answer Session, during which participants had the opportunity to raise questions and discuss issues related to academic research and publication. The discussion provided an opportunity for participants to connect the speaker’s insights with their own research experiences and academic contexts.
The International Webinar concluded with appreciation to the speaker, university leadership, lecturers, students, and all participants who contributed to the success of the event. Through this activity, the English Education Study Program, FKIP UMSU, reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening academic excellence, developing research capacity, fostering a sustainable publication culture, and expanding international academic engagement.
The successful implementation of the webinar is expected to encourage lecturers and students to become more active in research and scholarly publication while continuing to build connections with academics and institutions at both national and international levels. The English Education Study Program will continue to develop academic activities that provide meaningful opportunities for its academic community to learn, collaborate, and contribute to the wider scholarly community.
