The emergence of Bengkel Kata: Journal of Islamic and Multidisciplinary Humanities is rooted in the growing momentum to strengthen the culture of scientific literacy and research within the academic environment of Universitas Islam Negeri Imam Bonjol Padang. This initiative originated from the establishment of UKM Bengkel Kata: Riset & Publikasi on 7 August 2023 as an intellectual platform for students dedicated to advancing academic literacy, research capacity, and scholarly publication. The formation of this community was driven by the recognition that the advancement of scholarly traditions in higher education is not solely determined by classroom-based learning processes, but also by the robustness of research ecosystems, academic writing practices, and sustained scholarly discourse. Accordingly, the community was designed to cultivate a collaborative intellectual space that encourages students to actively engage in research activities, develop critical ideas, and disseminate knowledge through scholarly publications.
In an effort to further strengthen academic capacity, a Scientific Writing Training Program was organized on 23 March 2024 with the objective of enhancing students’ research competencies and academic writing skills. This initiative subsequently evolved into the Student Literacy Camp (SLC) 2024, an intellectual development forum designed to systematically reinforce students’ research abilities, scholarly writing, and academic collaboration. The program later expanded into the Student of Imam Bonjol Academic Community – Smart Internship Program, which provides opportunities for research strengthening, academic internships, and international academic exchange. Through this program, students are given opportunities to broaden their academic horizons while establishing global intellectual networks through various learning activities and short-term study programs abroad, including academic visits to Australia and Türkiye.
Alongside the expansion of literacy and research activities, institutional consolidation was carried out through the integration of research and publication initiatives within the framework of UKM Bengkel Kata: Riset & Publikasi. This effort was further reinforced through a Journal Management Capacity-Building Program held from 29 November to 1 December 2024 at Imelda Hotel & Waterpark, which involved several scholars and journal managers, including Alfred, Abdullah Khusairi, and Welhendri Azwar, who provided conceptual guidance on the management of scholarly journals aligned with national and international standards. From this series of initiatives, encompassing the strengthening of academic literacy, the development of a research-oriented student community, and institutional consolidation, Bengkel Kata: Journal of Islamic and Multidisciplinary Humanities was ultimately established as a scholarly publication platform dedicated to facilitating the dissemination of research in Islamic studies and multidisciplinary humanities. Philosophically, the name “Bengkel Kata” represents an intellectual workshop in which ideas and research findings are methodologically refined through critical analysis and scholarly reflection, ultimately generating knowledge that carries academic value and contributes to the advancement of scholarship at both national and international levels.