The Master’s Program in English Language Education at the Faculty of Languages and Arts (FBS), Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), collaborated with Universitas Negeri Malang (UM) to organize a joint lecture titled “Academic Writing and Publication” on September 30, 2026. Held virtually via Zoom, the event aimed to strengthen graduate students’ competencies in academic writing, literature review development, and scholarly journal publication.
The lecture brought together students enrolled in the Academic Writing and Publication course at UNNES and the Writing for Publication course at Universitas Negeri Malang. The collaboration provided an academic platform for students from both institutions to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and develop research communication skills essential for graduate-level scholarship.
The event featured two scholars, Prof. Dra. Nunung Suryati, M.Ed., Ph.D., from Universitas Negeri Malang and Henrikus Joko Yulianto, M.Hum., Ph.D., from UNNES. Their presentations offered complementary perspectives on academic writing, ranging from developing critical literature reviews to strengthening scholarly competencies through journal publication.
Prof. Nunung Suryati delivered a presentation titled “Crafting an Effective Literature Review for Empirical Research Articles,” highlighting the role of literature reviews in establishing theoretical foundations, developing research arguments, and positioning new studies within existing scholarship.
The session emphasized that an effective literature review goes beyond summarizing previous studies. It requires researchers to critically evaluate relevant literature, compare findings and perspectives, synthesize scholarly evidence, and identify research gaps that can inform new investigations.
Through this discussion, students were encouraged to develop critical reading skills and construct coherent academic arguments, both of which are essential for producing high-quality empirical research articles with meaningful theoretical and practical contributions.
Meanwhile, Henrikus Joko Yulianto presented “Forging Academic Proficiency through Scholarly Journal Publication,” focusing on the role of academic publishing in strengthening scholarly competence and disseminating research findings.
His session highlighted that journal publication should be viewed not merely as an academic requirement but also as an opportunity to contribute to broader scholarly conversations. Developing strong academic writing skills, constructing well-supported arguments, and understanding publication processes are therefore essential competencies for graduate students.
Fostering a Research-Oriented Academic Culture
The joint lecture reflected the Master’s Program in English Language Education at FBS UNNES’s continued commitment to fostering a research-oriented academic environment and strengthening students’ scholarly literacy.
The initiative aligns with the program’s vision to become a leading institution in advancing innovative English language education through the integration of language education theories, linguistics, and literacy approaches, with a strong research orientation and a commitment to character development and quality education.
By strengthening competencies in academic writing, literature review development, and scholarly publication, the program seeks to equip students with the skills needed to conduct research grounded in robust theoretical frameworks, coherent arguments, and relevant contributions to English language education.
The collaboration between UNNES and Universitas Negeri Malang also created opportunities for academic exchange across institutions. Such engagement is expected to broaden students’ scholarly perspectives and strengthen academic networks in education, research, and publication.
Advancing SDG 4 and SDG 17 Through Academic Literacy and Institutional Partnerships
The joint lecture also reinforced FBS UNNES’s commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Its contribution to SDG 4 was reflected in efforts to enhance graduate students’ academic competencies, strengthen scholarly literacy, and develop research and publication skills as essential components of quality higher education.
Through collaborative learning with scholars from both universities, students were encouraged to improve their critical thinking, literature synthesis, and academic communication skills. These competencies are expected to support the development of rigorous and socially relevant research in English language education.
Meanwhile, the partnership between UNNES and Universitas Negeri Malang contributed to SDG 17 by facilitating interuniversity collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the expansion of academic networks. The initiative also created opportunities for continued cooperation in research and scholarly publication.
Through this joint lecture, the Master’s Program in English Language Education at FBS UNNES reaffirmed its commitment to building an academic environment that promotes research excellence, scholarly literacy, collaboration, and publication productivity.
The initiative is expected to equip graduate students with the knowledge and skills necessary to produce scholarly work that meets academic standards while making meaningful contributions to English language education and the wider dissemination of research-based knowledge.
