By Hafiz Asnawi & Izzud deen RedzuanÂ
GOMBAK, 9 April 2016: A total of 27 communication students from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) who are members of the Institute of Public Relations Malaysia Student Association (IPRMSA)-UUM Chapter, led by its advisor, Dr. Syarizan Dalib, paid a visit to the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) today to establish social networking with their counterparts in IPRMSA-IIUM Chapter.
The delegation was welcomed by the Vice President of IPRMSA-IIUM Chapter, Ruzain Ismail. This was followed by a speech by the Association’s external advisor, Aznan Mat Piah, giving a briefing on the history of the IIUM Chapter and its achievement including the recent activities carried out by the Association. Aznan also sits on the present council of the Institute of Public Relations Malaysia (IPRM).
In his briefing, Aznan stated that the IPRMSA-IIUM Chapter served as a platform for the students to practise their communication and public relations skills as well as to establish networking with the industry players.
He further said the Department of Communication under its present head, Dr. Zeti Azreen Ahmad, has been very supportive of such activities that stand to benefit the students who would join the communication industry when they graduate.
Aznan also mentioned that the previous IIUM Rector and now a senior professor in the Department of Communication, Prof. Dato’ Seri Dr. Syed Arabi Idid, was instrumental in the setting up of the IIUM Chapter more than ten years ago, to provide the window for students to establish industry networking. Prof. Dr. Syed Arabi was also the past President of IPRM, the national professional body for public relations.
Meanwhile, Dr. Syarizan Dalib from UUM in her remarks shared her views on the experiences of the UUM Chapter in organising their activities. She pointed out that UUM has been encouraging their students to establish social networking not only with the professionals in the industry but also with communication students from other universities in an effort to learn from each other’s experience.
Hence, she added, the educational trip by UUM students to Kuala Lumpur this time had brought them to visit two public universities; Universiti Teknologi MARA and IIUM to meet with students from the respective chapters. She expressed the hope that the visit would foster a closer social relationship and networking between students of the IPRMSA chapters in the three universities.
Dr. Syarizan also mentioned that the UUM Chapter is organising ‘ASEAN Conference on Public Relations and Communication’ for the second time on 18 to 20 November this year which will be held at EDC Hotel and Residence in Sintok, Kedah. She hoped that there would be participation from IIUM Chapter as well.
“We are developing the conference as our brand,” she said.
Later, Dr. Syarizan had a separate session with IIUM Chapter’s internal advisor, Mazni Buyong, to exchange more information on cooperation between the two chapters.***
