TAWAU, 28 May 2025 — The Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sabah Branch Tawau Campus has curated Writing Boot Camp 2025 for Pre-Diploma students a two-day programme aimed at enhancing students’ basic writing skills. It was held on May 8 and 15 this year, involving 30 Pre-Diploma students from UiTM Tawau Campus.
The programme includes picture-cued descriptive writing and business-related email writing, conducted by English language lecturers, Dr. Choo Siow Chin and Madam Carolline Eveth Cyrinus, who were also programme facilitators. In the descriptive writing session, participants learnt how to construct simple and compound sentences; while in the business correspondence session, they were exposed to the structure, the tone and the style of a semi-formal email. To complete the learning, they were engaged in hands-on writing sessions, followed by feedback and correction to improve their writing.
To promote ethical use of AI for writing, Madam Carolline Eveth Cyrinus cautioned students of mindless copying from AI-generated content and the use of plagiarism checkers, like Turnitin, by lecturers to detect AI-written texts. The use of AI in classroom learning should not be banned entirely. Instead, lecturers should harness the possibilities of what ChatGPT can do to enhance students’ classroom learning. She said, “Having learnt the basics of writing, I hope participants can utilise AI in generating main ideas and language editing.” “Participants are also encouraged to foster collaboration to improve their critical thinking and problem-solving skills,” she added.
Fajidah Sawal, 19, one of the 30 participants in the writing boot camp, knew very well that writing in English with correct grammar has always been a challenge for her. She said that the writing programme has taught her how to avoid common errors, making her more confident to write essays for exams.
Another participant, Abdul Aiman Haqimie Abdul Saabar, who hailed from Kunak, said joining the programme was a blessing as he was able to apply the knowledge and skills taught to improve his writing.
Finally, Mizziatul Mardhiah Mohd Izzudin, a participant who came from the cowboy town of Kota Belud, said, “I think the writing boot camp has challenged me to think critically and creatively. Now, I feel more prepared to write academically and professionally.”
This programme hopes that once the participants are equipped with the basics of writing, they can explore the realm of writing with the empowerment of AI, and become better writers in their future academic pursuits.
Co-Writers: Carolline Eveth Cyrinus, Jemat Julaihi Basri