BATU CAVES, 28 June 2026: 42 final-year Communication students enrolled in the Internship course (COMM 4910) from the AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (AHAS KIRKHS), IIUM, organised “Communication Camp: Journey Beyond Campus” as part of their internship course requirement.
The programme was held at GIBS Ecotourism Resort, Jalan Sungai Tua, Batu Caves, Selangor, from 6 to 7 June 2026. The two-day, one-night programme gathered 42 Communication students from first to fourth year.
COMM 4910 is a compulsory course for final-year Communication students, to prepare them for internship by providing real-world problem-solving experience, professional exposure, and practical skills before entering the workplace.
In an interview with IIUMToday, Assistant Programme Manager Janani Arifah said the main objective of Comm Camp was to provide Communication students with meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom.
“The purpose of Comm Camp is to give Communication students an opportunity to learn and gain experience outside the classroom. The theories they learn during lectures can be applied through the activities we have designed for this programme,” she said.
Janani added that the organising committee intentionally selected a nature-based venue to create a more engaging and immersive learning environment.
“We wanted students to move beyond the campus environment and put classroom theories into practice through hands-on activities and real-life experiences. The natural setting also encouraged teamwork and helped participants develop their communication skills through practical sessions,” she said.
Comm Camp was the first outdoor Communication programme that required participants to stay overnight at the venue, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the learning experience. Activities such as CommXplore and Comm Escape challenged participants to think critically and creatively while applying the knowledge they had gained from their respective specialisations, including Journalism, Strategic Communication, and Interactive Media.
Despite the programme’s success, organising the event within three months came with several challenges.
Programme Manager Muhammad Izzuddin said the biggest challenge was ensuring that every activity ran smoothly while keeping participants actively engaged throughout the programme.
“The most challenging part was ensuring everything ran smoothly while keeping participants engaged throughout the programme. We had to coordinate with the committee, manage the schedule, and adapt quickly to unexpected challenges. The experience taught me the importance of staying calm, communicating effectively, and working as a team. Seeing the programme succeed made all the hard work worthwhile,” he said.
As a final message to future interns, Muhammad Izzuddin encouraged students to maximise their internship experience.
“My advice is to make the most of your internship experience. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, share your ideas, and take on responsibilities even if they seem challenging at first. The internship is one of the best opportunities to learn how things work in the real world and to discover your strengths and areas for improvement,” he said.
Thus, the programme was sponsored by Isac Energy, Su Ban Yi, Achik Printing, Gamuda and Moittry Infinity. ***
