Building a Research Culture Beyond Boundaries

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) hosted a thought-provoking workshop, Strategise Your Publishing Journey, bringing together lecturers and early-career researchers eager to elevate their academic publishing game.

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The workshop was held on 2 July 2025, on APU’s iconic campus at Technology Park Malaysia, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. 

The session, organised by APU’s Strategic Research Institute (SRI), set out to deliver actionable insights on navigating the complex world of scholarly publishing while strengthening APU’s research footprint on the global stage. 

Driving a Culture of Research Excellence

Opening the event, Professor Dr Mohammad Falahat, Director of SRI, highlighted how academic publishing has evolved dramatically over the past decade. 

“Publishing today is more than producing papers—it’s about fostering collaboration, critical thinking, and delivering real-world impact,” Prof Falahat affirmed. “Through initiatives like this, SRI reaffirms its mission to cultivate a vibrant research culture at APU—one that aspires to excellence and relevance in every discipline.” 

He encouraged participants to view the workshop as a shared journey toward publishing success rather than a one-off session. 

Insights from a Global Thought Leader

The event featured Professor Dr Hiram Ting, an eminent scholar ranked among the world’s top 2% in Business, Management and Marketing by Stanford University and Elsevier. Prof Ting also serves as Editor-in-Chief for leading journals, including Young Consumers (Scopus Q1), and acts as Emerald Publishing’s Ambassador for East Asia. 

Delivering a candid and engaging session, Prof Ting offered participants a rare insider’s perspective on how editorial boards operate and what separates standout submissions from the slush pile. 

“Think of publishing not as a finish line, but as a continuous journey of learning and growth,” he emphasised. 

Drawing from his own experience, he shared, “Back in 2015, I started as an ad hoc reviewer for Young Consumers before ever publishing in the journal. That experience taught me what editors expect, shaped my writing style, and ultimately led to my first acceptance.” 

What Makes a Paper Stand Out?

The workshop’s Q&A sessions sparked dynamic discussions. One question from Dr Rachel Lua Hooi Ming, Lecturer at APU’s School of Marketing & Management (SoMM), focused on whether prior Scopus publications were necessary to become a reviewer. 

Prof Ting’s response was refreshingly honest, “No! I volunteered because of my research interests. Reviewing helped me understand what sets exceptional papers apart.”

Responding to Dr Arumugam G. Sithamparam's (Senior Lecturer at SoMM) inquiry, he also unpacked the six review criteria of Young Consumers—originality, literature engagement, methodological rigour, clarity of results, broader implications, and communication quality—providing participants with a practical checklist for success. 

Addressing the challenge of balancing editorial duties with academia, Prof Ting admitted, “It requires time management and a service mindset. The role is about creating bridges—between authors, reviewers, and disciplines.” 

Scopus-Indexed Conference on the Horizon 

An exciting discussion emerged around hosting a Scopus-indexed conference at APU before the end of 2025, supported by Prof Ting’s connections with Emerald Publishing. The idea sparked palpable enthusiasm, reflecting APU’s ambition to carve a stronger presence in the global research landscape. 

Closing with Inspiration

The event concluded with Prof Dr Falahat presenting a commemorative gift to Prof Ting in appreciation of his candid insights and unwavering mentorship. Participants left the workshop equipped not only with strategies and checklists but with a renewed sense of purpose. 

“Today was more than learning how to publish—it was about building confidence to share knowledge that matters,” Prof Falahat remarked in his closing note. Thanks to APU’s vision and SRI’s commitment, the session set the tone for future initiatives that will empower researchers to turn ideas into impactful contributions on the world stage.