Jelajah Hawana 2024 Fuels Excitement for Future Journalist Leaders 

By, Sarah Jamil

BANGI, 4 November 2024: The Jelajah Hawana 2024 Bersama Siswa event today celebrates National Journalists Day, and serves as a platform for the Ministry of Communication to launch new initiatives aimed at inspiring the next generation of media professionals, with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) hosting it this year.

Hawana 2024 event was organised by the Ministry of Communications, with Bernama taking the lead in its implementation.

With the debut of the Sijang Media Professional Programme and the introduction of the Malaysian Journalist Ethics Code by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) National University of Malaysia (UKM), Professor Dr. Abdul Halim Abdul Gafor.

“For me, this is something that needs to be deepened by the communication students. One of the ethics contained in this new version is that journalists must be responsible, be the voice of the general public, be transparent, be integrated, and be fair in conveying information,” said Professor Dr. Abdul Halim.

Chief Executive Officer of Bernama and Chairperson of the Hawana 2024 Work Committee, Puan Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, highlighted its commitment to supporting higher education by donating high-end computer systems and 65-inch calibrated screens to seven public universities. Valued at RM20,000, these contributions aim to enhance the learning experience for students in communication and media studies. The seven universities included:

• Universiti of Malaya (UM) 
• Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
• International Islamic Univeristy Malaysia (IIUM)
• Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM Shah Alam)
• Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI)
• Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM)
• Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)

The event was attended by Secretary-General of the Ministry of Communications, Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa; Senior Under Secretary (Management) of the Ministry of Communication, Mazlan Abd Mutalib; Editor-in-Chief of Bernama, Arul Rajoo Durar Raj; Deputy Editor-in-Chief (News Service), Nasriah Darus, Head of Management Services and Finance, Sharifah Zaini Syed Zain; and Head of TV and Radio Broadcasting, Mohd Shukri Ishak.

Overall, the Jelajah Hawana 2024 event marked a significant step towards enhancing media education and professional standards in Malaysia, reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to nurturing a well-prepared generation of media practitioners.

The HAWANA 2024 campus tour at UKM is the third edition, following events in Sarawak on May 25 and Sabah on October 25. Upcoming sessions are scheduled for Malacca (Southern Zone), Terengganu (East Coast Zone), and Penang (Northern Zone).***