FKPM Newsroom Offers Hands-on Journalism Experience, Exposure To UiTM Students

SHAH ALAM, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), as a strategic partner of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), hopes that the newly-established newsroom at the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FKPM) would be able to offer the students hands-on experience and early exposure to the world of journalism.

Bernama chief executive officer Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin said that was why the new agency is providing three high-performance computers, a smart television, a printer, and several chairs and desks for the newsroom.

“A newsroom is the main and most important working area in any media organisation. Therefore, schools or faculties of journalism and media studies need to have such a facility to train the students and prepare them before they enter the profession.

“That’s why we (Bernama) are providing these high-end equipment (to the Newsroom) ...so as to make it easier for students to complete their tasks, such as doing research or layout work, with guidance from the lecturers.”

Nur-ul Afida said this to reporters after officiating the opening of the FKPM Newsroom alongside UiTM deputy vice-chancellor (Industry, Community and Alumni Network) Prof Dr Jamalunlaili Abdullah in conjunction with the closing of UiTM Communication and Media Festival (COMMED) here today.

Also present were FKPM dean Dr Abd Rasid Abd Rahman, Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, deputy editor-in-chief (News Services) Nasriah Darus, Head of Broadcasting (TV and Radio) Mohd Shukri Ishak, Head of Bernama TV Nor Hamzeela Md Hambali and Bernama Radio chief operating officer Azlan Idris.

Meanwhile, Nur-ul Afida said Bernama will continue to foster a strategic and close partnership with UiTM as part of its aspirations to uphold the culture of giving back, especially to one’s alma mater.

 “At Bernama, the majority of our journalists graduated from UiTM or previously known as ITM (Institut Teknologi MARA) and, every year, we have been taking in interns from ITM/UiTM.

“So, I have seen how this collaboration, which began in the 1970s, has helped Bernama grow, not only in terms of providing training and guidance to the students but also in making them part of Bernama workforce,” she added.

Meanwhile, FKPM Coordinator for Journalism and Publishing, Khairun Nizam Mohammad Yusuff, said the establishment of the newsroom aims to create an experiential learning space for students, allowing them to experience a real newsroom environment.

“We never had a proper newsroom environment where students could experience working in a newsroom before. While this newsroom may not be 100 per cent the same as in a media company, at least our students will get early exposure,” Khairun Nizam said.

He also expressed hope that through the establishment of the newsroom, the students would feel more motivated and confident to try new things.

“This newsroom will definitely serve as a workstation after lectures, where students can conduct research and complete their assignments,” he added.

Meanwhile, second-year student Muhammad Aidi Syaffri Mohd Idham, 28, said the establishment of the newsroom would greatly benefit students, especially with the equipment provided by Bernama.

“We are in a fast phase now, where such facilities are crucial for students. When we were informed about the establishment of the newsroom, we were excited because we know that a newsroom carries the real feel of working in the journalism field,” he said.

His coursemate, Maria Madelina Kiri, 22, also shared the sentiment and hoped that the new facilities would help enhance their skills and knowledge, particularly in journalism, which is increasingly evolving towards digitalisation. 

-- BERNAMA