05-Day FDP on Generative AI and Advanced Tools for Academic Research

• Title: 05-Day National Level FDP on Generative AI and Advanced Tools for Academic Research
• Organized by: Scrollwell
• Date: September 24 – 28, 2025
• Time: 06:00 PM – 07:00 PM (IST)
• Mode: Online via Zoom
• Duration: 1 Hour Daily | 10 Lessons
• Participants: 80 (faculty, researchers, and professionals across India)

Scrollwell organized a 05-Day National Level Faculty Development Program (FDP) on Generative AI and Advanced Tools for Academic Research from September 24 to September 28, 2025.

This intensive training program was specially curated to help faculty members, researchers, and academic professionals gain practical insights into the use of Generative AI and digital research tools. The sessions emphasized AI’s role in enhancing research efficiency, responsible usage, and applications ranging from literature reviews to paper writing, reference management, and academic presentations.

Through a combination of interactive lectures, hands-on workshops, and live demonstrations, the FDP aimed to build confidence among educators in integrating AI effectively into their academic workflows.

FDP Objectives

• Foundations of Generative AI – Understand the capabilities, limitations, and applications of AI in research.
• AI Tools for Research Enhancement – Hands-on training with tools like ChatGPT, LitMaps, Research Rabbit, Elicit, R-Discovery, Scholarcy, and Prism.
• Practical Applications – Explore AI-driven techniques for data analysis, academic writing, presentations, and project development.
• Ethical Considerations – Discuss challenges of fairness, transparency, and responsible AI use in academic contexts.

Topics Covered

1. Introduction to AI in Academic Research
   • Basics of AI and its importance in research.
   • AI’s impact on academic disciplines.
   • Outcome: Participants understood AI’s potential in transforming research methodologies.
2. Utilizing ChatGPT and Other Tools in Research
   • Using ChatGPT for idea generation and literature reviews.
   • Overview of LitMaps, Research Rabbit, Elicit, R-Discovery, Scholarcy, and Prism.
   • Outcome: Enhanced ability to apply AI tools for faster, more creative research outputs.
3. Application of Research-Based AI Tools
   • Hands-on exercises with AI-driven data analysis tools.
   • Group discussions on research integration.
   • Outcome: Participants gained practical exposure to AI applications in academic workflows.
4. Research Paper Writing Using MS Word
   • Writing and formatting manuscripts.
   • Automating citations, references, and sections like abstract, introduction, and conclusion.
   • Outcome: Improved competence in academic writing using MS Word.
5. Reference Management
   • Training on EndNote, Zotero, and Mendeley.
   • Automating references and bibliography creation.
   • Outcome: Participants learned best practices for efficient and accurate citation management.
6. Ethical Dilemmas in AI-Driven Research
   • Bias, fairness, and transparency in AI adoption.
   • Best practices for responsible research.
   • Outcome: Awareness of ethical considerations in AI-driven academic work.
7. AI for PPT Generation
   • Demonstrations of AI-powered presentation tools.
   • Content generation and slide design automation.
   • Outcome: Ability to create engaging academic presentations with AI.

Outcomes

By the end of the FDP, participants were able to:

• Understand the fundamentals of Generative AI and its role in modern research.
• Use AI-driven platforms for literature reviews, research mapping, and paper drafting.
• Apply MS Word and AI integrations for professional research writing.
• Manage references efficiently with Mendeley, Zotero, and EndNote.
• Design professional, AI-powered presentations.
• Identify and address ethical challenges in AI-assisted academic work.

Participation Details

The FDP witnessed active engagement from 80 participants across India, representing universities, colleges, and research institutes. The diverse academic backgrounds of the participants enriched the discussions and hands-on activities, ensuring cross-disciplinary collaboration and peer learning.

Bonus for Participants

All registered participants received:

• Recorded session access for self-paced revision.
• Digital resource packs, including toolkits and guides.
• A Scrollwell e-Certificate of Completion upon feedback submission and assessment.

Acknowledgment

Scrollwell extends its appreciation to all 80 participants who actively engaged in the FDP. Their enthusiasm and interaction were key to the program’s success. Special thanks to the resource team for delivering insightful sessions that bridged the gap between theory and practical application of AI in research.

About Scrollwell

Scrollwell is an initiative focused on strengthening the education system in India through Faculty Development Programs, professional training workshops, and digital literacy initiatives. Since 2020, Scrollwell has trained more than 55,000 educators and researchers, equipping them with the latest tools and strategies in teaching, research, and academic development.