UKM doctoral student bags award

UKM doctoral student bags award

The Star Online - News·2025-08-01 14:00

ACADEMIC writing, a key component of higher education, can be challenging for students.

With changing times, educators teaching these skills to tertiary students also need to evolve their methods.

According to Nurin Erdiani Mhd Fadzil, a PhD student in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), educators can incorporate six key complementary constructs into their teaching: artificial intelligence (AI), digital technology, typography and layout design, aesthetic value, contextual signals, and writing coherence.

These constructs form part of the multimodal learning framework she developed for teaching academic writing in English as a Second Language (ESL) specifically for university students – the focus of her PhD research.

Nurin Erdiani recently presented her research at the Twenty-First International Conference on Technology, Knowledge and Society 2025 in Taiwan, where she was among five outstanding early-career scholars and graduate students to receive the Emerging Scholar Award.

The award, presented by Common Ground Research Networks based in Illinois, United States, recognises young scholars who demonstrate academic excellence, research dedication and significant potential to shape the future of knowledge and technology.

Other recipients this year include representatives from institutions such as the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, the Ontario College of Art and Design University, Canada, the National University of Singapore, and the University of the Pacific, San Francisco, US.

Nurin Erdiani explained that the main objective of the framework is to offer a more holistic, interactive and relevant pedagogical approach that meets the needs of 21st-century learners.

“This approach is designed to make the teaching of academic writing more contextual, engaging, and aligned with today’s learning realities.

“By combining elements of AI, digital technology, and multimodal communication – such as visuals, typography and contextual cues – students can develop a deeper understanding not only of the content but also of how it is delivered.

“For educators, the framework serves as a practical and flexible guide for designing writing assignments that are more creative, responsive, and focused on fostering coherence and aesthetic value in students’ writing,” she said in a press release dated July 8.

Nurin Erdiani added that her study opens new avenues for the ethical integration of AI in the classroom, such as using AI-powered idea generators or self-assessment tools to increase student engagement and expedite feedback processes.

“This award has given me a huge motivation boost to continue contributing to research and educational innovation.

“It encourages me to stay active in academia, especially in exploring the potential of technologies like AI in language pedagogy.

“It also expands my global research network and opens up opportunities for cross-institutional academic collaboration.

“Overall, it strengthens my direction as a young researcher aiming to impact future educational policies and practices,” she said.

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