“VUT’s HRM Department hosts the Ink in Action workshop, equipping staff with academic writing skills, peer networks, and tools for successful research publishing.”
09 July 2025 | Story By: Staff Reporter | Picture: Sopplied
2 minutes read time.
The Faculty of Management Sciences at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), through its Human Resource Management Department, recently hosted a dynamic three-day academic writing workshop titled Ink in Action at the VUT Conference Centre. Spearheaded by Associate Professor Christel Marais, the workshop was carefully designed to build academic capacity by equipping staff with practical writing tools, institutional knowledge, and the confidence to pursue scholarly publishing.
The programme opened with a focus on the challenges of academic publishing. Participants engaged in introspective reflection on the milestones of the academic journey, supported by detailed handouts aligned with VUT’s policies and procedures. Sessions were facilitated by Mr Doctor Ndlangamandla, Lecturer at VUT, and Dr Christine van Rensburg, Senior Lecturer, both of whom guided attendees through the intricacies of scholarly writing, publication processes, and the path to academic promotion.
A standout moment on the first day was an inspiring talk by Dr Anthony Isabirye, Contract Lecturer, who candidly shared his research journey. He reminded participants that research opportunities are ever-present and encouraged collaborative engagement to transform these into impactful publications.
Adding a creative touch, Ms Sandra Barbosa, a VUT Lecturer, led a session using the imaginative Harry Potter Sorting Hat as a metaphor. This playful exercise fostered team spirit and allowed participants to reflect on their shared strengths and aspirations. The day concluded with attendees pledging to serve as peer reviewers, an essential role in strengthening scholarly networks, by reaching out to academic journal editors.
Day two delved into the “anatomy of a journal article,” introducing participants to mind mapping software as a tool to conceptualise and structure abstracts. Practical guidance was offered on crafting abstracts suitable for conference submissions, bridging personal research goals with broader academic forums.
The final day focused on “surviving the review cycle.” Participants were introduced to strategies for constructively engaging with reviewer feedback and navigating the publishing process with resilience. The workshop culminated in a moment of collective ambition as participants submitted a written commitment to the Head of Department, Dr Josiah Masoka, outlining 19 prospective research papers they intended to develop.
To symbolise their aspirations, paper planes were launched, each one representing the journey of an academic idea taking flight. Participants departed with sharpened skills, fresh perspectives, and a renewed belief in their capacity to contribute meaningfully to local and global academic discourse, united in their pursuit of excellence.