By Najwa Yusman
GOMBAK, 3 March 2022: Students were told to get to know the option offered in the Department of Communication, AHAS KIRKHS, which consists broadly of two specialisations, Strategic Communication (SC) and Integrated Media Journalism (IMJ), so that they would be clear of their undergraduate journey and career path.
Head of Communication Department, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeti Azreen Ahmad, was speaking at the Communication Academic Briefing (CAB) session on Wednesday (2 March) to welcome new students for Semester 2, and to enlighten them on academic matters.
Students were later told on what they would expect to study and what their future and career path would be if they decide to choose the specialisation.
Briefing the students on the two specialisations, Mr. Aznan Mat Piah, a lecturer from Communication Department, highlighted the significance of each specialisation in terms of knowledge and skills that students would acquire that could prepare them well to join the industry when the graduate.
Aznan said, “Being a freshie means you are curious about what you are studying and what sort of experience you will be exposed to, and you can learn to better equip yourself if you know your option, and be ready to participate actively during your undergraduate years.”
He explained that Public Relations and Organisational Communication have been merged to come under one specialisation called Strategic Communication where the new specialisation has been enriched with various elements of communication including communication management strategies.
Aznan urged the students to understand the principles of Strategic Communication where knowledge gained under this specialisation could shape students’ way of thinking strategically.
Apart from that, he said, if students choose IMJ as their specialisation, they will not only be exposed to principles of journalism and production, but also learn on how media work in reporting on various issues affecting the society.
“Students will also get a chance to know about various institutions within the country and the developments taking place both nationally and internationally on different issues like politics, economics, education, and international relations,” he added.
He also spoke about career prospects and job opportunities for Strategic Communication as practitioners in various organisations which ranged from corporate or private sector organisations to media companies, Government-linked companies (GLCs) to opportunities in public sector agencies.
He also said that students who specialise in IMJ would be able to work in the local as well as the international media organisations. “Opportunities are there, it’s only that you need to prove to the employers that you are good,” he stated.
Aznan mentioned various platforms available in Communication Department such as IIUMToday, IIUM.fm, IIUMTv, Institute of Public Relations Malaysia Student Association (IPRMSA), and Secretariat of Communication Students Association (COSA) where students should join where they stand to benefit from their exposure and experience.
He believed that these platforms could provide students with both practical experience and knowledge that run parallel with subjects taught by Communication Department.
This briefing was held live via Zoom meeting and was joined by almost 75 participants which consist of students and lecturers from the department.***