Seminar – From Draft to Publication: How to Write a Journal Manuscript

The session began with an address by Dr. Faiz Al Faysal (Associate Professor & Director of IT), who highlighted Green University of Bangladesh’s remarkable achievements, including securing 2nd place in Impact Ranking and 9th in Shimago Ranking. He proudly mentioned the admission of foreign students from Nigeria, emphasizing the university’s growing global presence. Mr. Faysal encouraged students and faculty to contribute to research through publications, noting that to take GUB forward, consistent research output is essential. Drawing inspiration from the Holy Qur’an, he reminded everyone that the very first revelation begins with the word “read,” symbolizing the importance of continuous learning and knowledge pursuit.

Dr. Faysal also shared his personal journey with IEEE, mentioning that he served as the Treasurer of IEEE during his time at KUET (2007–2008). Through IEEE, he gained invaluable experiences, including opportunities with Ekushey Television and the Bangladesh Navy. He highlighted that IEEE is an enormous professional community and that being part of it adds significant value to one’s CV and career growth. He concluded by expressing that IEEE programs have greatly inspired his professional and personal development.

Following his address, the keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Md Abdur Razzak (Professor & Chairman Department of Computer Science and Engineering, DU) who captivated the audience with his insights on the essence and nobility of research. He began by explaining that the term IEEE itself resonates deeply, as it represents the home of technology, innovation, and knowledge sharing. He described how IEEE connects individuals to technology, research, and the tech industry, serving as a global platform for collaboration and learning. Dr. Razzak encouraged the inclusion of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Software Engineering (SWE) within IEEE activities, emphasizing that such fields represent the future of innovation.

Dr. Razzak shared that he joined IEEE to contribute to the community and share knowledge, describing it as a hub of over 400,000 registered members worldwide, including a strong presence in Bangladesh. He noted that many global tech giants and professionals are associated with IEEE, which reflects its prestige and influence.

In his inspiring speech, Dr. Razzak elaborated on the nobility of research, explaining its depth and discipline. He discussed the criteria for choosing research topics, encouraging students to identify problems that have real-world acceptance and relevance within the community. Citing Thomas Edison, he emphasized that “failing 1000 times” in experiments still contributes to progress, as each attempt adds to collective scientific understanding. He advised students to select specific, narrow research topics, as meaningful contributions often come from depth rather than breadth.

Dr. Razzak emphasized that research is a continuous learning process—one cannot publish overnight. He illustrated how, after the invention of Bubble Sort, researchers sought improvement, leading to the development of Quick Sort and Merge Sort algorithms, highlighting how innovation evolves through persistence and curiosity. He clarified that research does not require perfect English, but rather a strong algorithmic foundation and analytical reasoning.

He also discussed the classification of journals, such as Q1, Q2, and their importance in evaluating publication quality. He advised students to focus on scientific research papers, ensuring originality and depth. According to him, research should be about digging deep into a specific problem, not collecting multiple unrelated ideas. The goal should be to read and understand existing papers, implement methodologies, compare results, and develop original insights.

Dr. Razzak shared valuable guidelines for an effective research approach—narrowing down problems, focusing on measurable performance metrics, asking clear questions, and using selective figures and analyses to support findings. He encouraged publishing in high-quality journals and reputable conferences, particularly those that are Q1, Q2, or UGC-approved, to enhance visibility and credibility in the academic community.

The seminar concluded with a strong message: research is not about quantity but depth. Students were encouraged to focus on understanding, implementing, and innovating within their chosen research domains. The event successfully inspired participants to pursue meaningful research, contribute to publications, and embrace continuous learning as a lifelong goal.