Unimas aims to produce quality journalism graduates

KUCHING: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) is ready to utilise its resources to produce high-quality graduates in the journalism field, particularly in Sarawak.

Its vice-chancellor, Prof Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit, said the university aims to be one of the driving forces in offering and producing well-trained graduates in the field of communication in the state.

“Unimas is committed to equipping graduates with the necessary skills for the real working world,” he said in his speech at the Hawana 2024 Excursion with Students programme at Pustaka Negeri on Saturday (May 25).

The programme is part of the events lined up for this year’s National Journalists’ Day (Hawana) celebration.

Also present were Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil and Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Sarawak Public Communication Unit Datuk Abdullah Saidol.

Malaysian National News Agency (BK) chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, chief executive officer Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj were in attendance.

Ahmad Hata said Unimas is thrilled to be one of the destinations included in the Hawana event and is particularly honoured to be chosen as the first location for the Hawana 2024 Excursion with Students programme.

He noted that Unimas sees its involvement in Hawana 2024 as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with the media in terms of expertise and research collaborations.

Meanwhile, Nur-ul Afida said Unimas is one of six universities selected to receive a high-capacity computer and a large-sized television for the Faculty of Education, Language and Communication.

“This tour programme will be held in six zones, namely Sabah, Sarawak, Northern, Eastern, Southern and Central. Several universities have been chosen to host this tour series, and it is hoped that students can utilise the equipment donated during their learning sessions,” she said.

Some 250 students from Unimas, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak and SEGi College Sarawak participated in the Hawana 2024 Excursion with Students programme.

Its objective is to expose students in selected public higher learning institutions to the world of media, allowing media practitioners to share their knowledge and experience, instilling interest in journalism among students, and helping them apply this knowledge in their future careers.

Saturday’s programme includes knowledge-sharing and discussions on topics such as ‘Fact-Check’ with MyCheck Malaysia and BK Data Journalism Unit editor Sakina Mohamed, as well as Mobile Journalism with BK’s Digital Media desk senior journalist Syed Iylia Hariz Al-Qadri Syed Izman, along with a dialogue session with the Communications Minister. – BK