Hotel Putra Brasmana, Kuala Perlis – 26 February 2025
The event hall of Hotel Putra Brasmana came alive with laughter, learning, and lively discussions as 35 administrative staff from Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin (UniSIRAJ) gathered for the “English for the Workplace” workshop. A collaborative event between UniSIRAJ (formerly known as KUIPS) and the Kulliyyah of Sustainable Tourism and Contemporary Languages (KSTCL), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), the event left participants not only more confident in their writing but also more connected to their roles and each other.
Delivered by a dynamic team of language and communication experts from the Department of English Language, KSTCL —Dr. Shahrul Nizam bin Mohd Basari, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Afiza binti Mohamad Ali, and Dr. Al Amirul Eimer bin Ramdzan Ali—the workshop was designed to build practical English writing skills, relevant to the workplace scenario in the current technology era. Funded by the Jamalullail Research Grant Scheme (JRGS 4.0), the session forms part of a year-long initiative to uplift communication standards among UniSIRAJ administrative officers.
Structured into highly interactive segments—including Introduction to Workplace Writing, a Needs Assessment, and Writing Formal Emails—the half-day workshop successfully merged practical instruction with lively peer engagement activities.
But what took the facilitators by surprise was the overwhelming energy and active participation during the Needs Assessment session.
“We expected a simple feedback round,” shared Dr. Shahrul, “but it turned into a passionate discussion. Participants not only voiced their struggles with workplace English but also suggested meaningful solutions. The openness and eagerness to learn exceeded our expectations. Most importantly, their basic use of English was commendable too.”
That energy translated into glowing reviews from attendees. One participant wrote,
“This was a very impactful workshop. I’ve learned so much about improving my email writing and professional tone.”
Another said,
“Please hold a second series—I’ll definitely register again!”
Notably, a common theme in the feedback was the strong preference for face-to-face sessions.
“The interaction really motivated me. I hope more workshops will be done in person like this—much better than online!”
This sentiment was echoed by several others, suggesting that the physical environment encouraged more open sharing and real-time learning and communication—a crucial element for language skill development.
Organized by UNISIRAJ’s Human Resource Department, the programme clearly resonated with the attendees, many of whom left inspired and empowered to improve their workplace communication as the university aims to gain better credibility in its internationalization efforts which include dealing with PhD students from overseas.
The facilitators now plan to take this valuable feedback into account as they design future workshops and workable modules in the series. More in-person sessions, deeper content, and longer durations are likely on the horizon. As the English Writing for the Workplace Workshop series continues, one thing is clear: when learning is interactive, relevant, and personal, the results are not just measurable—they’re transformative and exciting!
Reported by
AP Dr Afiza Mohamad Ali,
Research Team Member.
11/4/2025