By Luqman Hakim Tajuddin
GOMBAK 15 December 2023: One of the programmes in the Communication Internship Workshop Series involved an online workshop. It focused on “Character Development” as an initiative to prepare students for their upcoming professional life.
The speaker of the workshop was the CEO of Yayasan UNITI and former lecturer of Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences (KENMS), Dr. Syed Omar Syed Agil, who shared with Communication students on what it takes to survive in the working world.
The workshop’s goal was to make the students aware of how vital it is to build good character in a demanding work environment.
“Studying is important, going to university is important! That’s where you start connecting with people…Talking with your lecturers, with your classmates, all this will develop your (good) character,” said Dr. Syed Omar.
The relationship the students formed in university is the beginning of developing one’s character, stressed Dr. Syed Omar. It helps students get used to building good character by fostering these relationships and to prepare for a different and difficult work environment.
“We are looking for interns who have ideas. Who have innovative suggestions. We want interns who can work with us and can help us and assist us in running our business,” he stated.
The workplace requires interns who are proactive and adept at problem-solving. These characteristics are attractive to companies and employers.
Other than that, meeting deadlines, following good work ethics, being responsive, preparing to accept all kinds of unfamiliar and difficult assignments and learning from mistakes, and working hard regardless of the difficulty you are facing are characteristics that students need to have when they leave the IIUM and work in whatever organisation they land in.
Dr. Syed emphasised that the Prophet (pbuh) had said, “I’ve been sent to perfect good character.” What better example of good character that we can follow than the Prophet’s character?
There are benefits in developing good character. With good character, people will love you and it will fortify your heart and can prepare you well when facing difficulties.
Before the session ended, he also engaged with the students by answering questions and he slipped in some advice of how important it is to be inquisitive at work.
This workshop shows that it is important for the IIUM to provide a comprehensive learning experience to students including preparing them to be professionals with good character.
Such initiatives such as this one ensure that the student is not only equipped with academic knowledge but also learn how to act when they are no longer under the care of the IIUM.***
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