MAKASSAR – Lecturer in the English Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, Sulkifli, S.Pd., M.Pd., was entrusted to serve as an Invited Speaker at the International Scientific and Practical Conference carrying 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 forum brought together academics, researchers, and educational practitioners from various countries to exchange perspectives on research developments, academic innovation, education, and culture in navigating the transformation of digital society.
In the scientific forum, Sulkifli presented a paper titled “Academic Writing in the Age of Generative AI: Epistemic Agency and Evidence Verification in EFL Higher Education.” The presentation addressed an important issue regarding the transformation of academic writing in the era of Generative Artificial Intelligence, particularly concerning intellectual independence in knowledge construction and the ability to verify evidence within the context of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) higher education.
In his presentation, Sulkifli emphasized that the emergence of generative AI technology has brought significant changes to academic writing practices. While this technology offers various conveniences in searching for information, developing ideas, composing text, and editing writing, its utilization still demands a critical attitude and academic responsibility to ensure that technology does not replace the author's intellectual role in producing scholarly work.
The aspect of epistemic agency was one of the main highlights of the presentation. This concept emphasizes the importance of students' ability to take an active role in constructing, evaluating, and taking responsibility for the knowledge they generate. Students are required not only to utilize AI as an auxiliary tool, but also to possess the capability to assess information accuracy, examine source validity, and ensure that every academic claim is supported by accountable evidence.
Additionally, the issue of evidence verification has become increasingly relevant in higher education, given that generative AI technology can produce information that appears convincing yet is not necessarily accurate. Therefore, strengthening source and information verification skills is an essential component in building a credible, ethical, and integrity-driven academic writing culture.
Sulkifli’s participation as an Invited Speaker in this international conference stands as a tangible contribution from lecturers of the English Education Study Program, FKIP Unismuh Makassar, to the development of global academic discourse—specifically in the fields of English language education, academic literacy, and the application of artificial intelligence technology in learning.
This participation further reinforces the role of Unismuh Makassar academics in responding to higher education challenges in the digital age through cross-border exchanges of ideas and scholarly perspectives. It is hoped that involvement in this international forum will expand academic networks and open opportunities for collaboration in research, scientific publication, and instructional innovation.
Through the contributions of its lecturers in international scientific forums, the English Education Study Program, FKIP Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, continues to foster the strengthening of academic capacity and scholarly development that is adaptive to technological advancements and global educational challenges.