Be an aspiring journalist with UTAR

The art of conveying right information and messages to a mass audience in an engaging news package is truly a multifaceted process. From traditional newspapers to the online newspapers and the variety of social media content all over the Internet, journalistic skills in journalism are essential in delivering these messages effectively. 

With two decades of experience in providing quality and affordable higher education, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) understands that its students must adapt to the needs of today’s industry. 

The Bachelor of Communication (Hons) Journalism programme offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) of UTAR is ideal for students who are keen on pursuing careers in print and internet-based media. The three-year practical and technology-centred programme gives students ample exposure to industry practices, opportunities to work with industry-standard equipment and the chance to produce work not only meant for printing, but also for television and internet-based media. 

UTAR’s Journalism programme provides students with the ability to communicate effectively, opportunities to publish on a variety of media platforms and an understanding of how contemporary news media operate. Hence, students will learn to interpret situations or events, tell concise and accurate hard news stories, think and write critically about journalism and its role in society, develop news gathering, writing and research skills, generate ideas, undertake research, conduct interviews and work in a newsroom environment. It also involves practical training in editing and production using standard equipment, ensuring that students are able to react to the demands of the modern news environment. 

The Head of Journalism Department of FAS UTAR, Dr M Sultana Alam enthused, “Journalism is a competitive, yet highly rewarding field.  It is the backbone of the media industry and is critical to a high functioning democracy.  To be successful as a journalist, one must have the passion for truth, honesty and integrity, and the guts to go out and get the story. In addition to that, to become a journalist, some intrinsic skills are necessary to achieve success.  First and foremost, one has got to have an inquiring mind.  He or she must be passionate about knowledge and learning, and must be willing to do what it takes to get at the truth behind a story.” 

UTAR’s Journalism programme produces professional media personnel-journalists, in particular, who are at the forefront of professional and technical developments in their areas of specialisation. This is a result of the in-depth knowledge and understanding of mass communication theory that is emphasised in the programme. The programme enables students to acquire a mature understanding of cultural issues and public policies within the Malaysian environment and global context. In addition, students are also introduced to the foundation of advertising such as copywriting and media planning so that they will be cognizant of the advertising profession. Advertising is a related field in communication and one in which journalism graduates may find employment.

Upon successful completion of the programme, UTAR Journalism graduates will be able to demonstrate the understanding of fundamental concepts of press freedom, communication, media theories and the impact of news on the socio-political environment. They will also be able to illustrate a sound knowledge of hardware and multimedia software application in the area of electronic publishing and demonstrate a level of general knowledge and understanding of the social, economic and political trends that is sufficient for a secure employment. With this, graduates can find employment in mass media communication as journalists, reporters, editors, feature writers, correspondents or information researchers. They could also seek employment in related areas of advertising, publishing, media management and education. 

UTAR offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in areas including Accountancy, Actuarial Science, Applied Mathematics, Arts, Chinese Studies, Malaysia Studies, Business and Economics, Biotechnology, Engineering and Build Environment, Information and Communication Technology, Life and Physical Sciences, Medicine and Health Sciences, Media and Journalism, Education and General Studies, and Agriculture and Food Science. The university also engages in the provision and conduct of research, consultation, management and leadership training, and other related educational services at its Bandar Sungai Long and Kampar campuses in Malaysia.

For more information, please visit https://study.utar.edu.my/ or call 05-468 8888 (Kampar Campus), 03- 9086 0288 (Sungai Long Campus).