Speaker
Description
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into academic life, students and lecturers across Southeast Asia—particularly in English as a Second or Foreign Language settings—are navigating complex questions about what it means to produce “original work.” AI-powered writing tools such as ChatGPT, QuillBot, Grammarly, and DeepSeek are widely used by university students to improve grammar, paraphrase content, and even generate complete essays. While these tools can help bridge language gaps and boost confidence, they also raise concerns about academic integrity and over-reliance. This study investigates how university students and lecturers in the Southeast Asian context—specifically in Vietnam and Malaysia—perceive the use of AI in academic writing. Using a qualitative approach—including in-depth interviews, focus groups, and classroom-based case studies—this study explores the blurred boundary between writing assistance and academic dishonesty. Preliminary findings reveal that many students view artificial intelligence as a legitimate aid for overcoming linguistic barriers, while lecturers express mixed feelings—supporting its potential for language support but wary of its implications for plagiarism and skill development. Rather than framing artificial intelligence use purely as a threat to integrity, this study proposes a more balanced understanding that reflects the linguistic and pedagogical realities of the region. It also suggests institutional strategies for developing clear guidelines, promoting responsible AI literacy, and supporting both students and lecturers in adapting to this new academic environment.
Biography
Nur Huslinda Che Mat is a Senior Lecturer at the Akademi Pengajian Bahasa, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia. She earned her PhD in Education Research from the University of East Anglia, Norwich in 2020, where she focused on academic literacies — a field that continues to shape much of her work today. With a strong foundation in ESL and TESL, Nur Huslinda’s research interests span education technology, university-level writing, and the internationalisation of higher education. Her experience teaching Intercultural Communication to undergraduate students has sparked a deeper curiosity about cross-cultural learning environments, leading her to broaden her research into this growing area. She is passionate about supporting students as they navigate academic writing and communication in a globalised world.
