MAKASSAR – Lecturer in the English Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, Ismail Sangkala, S.Pd., M.Pd., was entrusted to be an Invited Speaker at the International Scientific and Practical Conference with the theme "Academic Research and Innovation: The Individual, Education and Culture in a Digital Society" on November 5–6, 2026.
This international conference was organized by Alfraganus University, a non-state higher education institution under the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The event served as an international academic forum bringing together academics, researchers, and educational practitioners to discuss research developments, innovation, education, and cultural dynamics amid the transformation of digital society.
On that occasion, Ismail Sangkala presented a paper titled "Navigating Language, Culture, and Digital Identity in the AI Era: A Multimodal Approach to Critical Digital Literacy." The presentation highlighted the importance of critical digital literacy in facing the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly in understanding the interconnectedness between language, culture, and digital identity.
Through a multimodal perspective, Ismail Sangkala emphasized that digital literacy skills today are no longer limited to accessing and understanding text-based information, but also encompass the ability to interpret various forms of digital communication, such as images, video, audio, and interactive content. This capability is becoming increasingly crucial alongside the swift advancement of AI technology, which influences how society produces, accesses, and interprets information.
Furthermore, the discussion on language, culture, and digital identity is highly relevant in education because interactions in digital spaces involve diverse cultural representations and modes of communication. Therefore, critical digital literacy is essential so that learners can use technology wisely, evaluate information reflectively, and comprehend the social and cultural implications of AI adoption.
Ismail Sangkala's participation as an Invited Speaker at this international conference represents the contribution of academics from the English Education Study Program of FKIP Unismuh Makassar in broadening scholarly discourse at the global level. This participation also demonstrates the role of lecturers in bringing forth perspectives in English language education that are responsive to technological developments, digital transformation, and the challenges of 21st-century literacy.
Involvement in this international scientific forum is expected not only to strengthen the presence of Unismuh Makassar academics on the global stage, but also to open opportunities for the exchange of ideas, the development of academic networks, and collaborative research and educational innovation with various international educational institutions.
Through lecturer participation in world academic forums, the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education at Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar continues to foster the strengthening of academic competence, scientific productivity, and tangible contributions toward addressing educational challenges in the age of digital technology and artificial intelligence.