SHAH ALAM: The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), as a strategic partner of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), hopes that the newly-established newsroom at the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FKPM) would be able to offer the students hands-on experience and early exposure to the world of journalism. Bernama chief executive officer Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin said that was why the news agency is providing three high-performance computers, a smart television, a printer, and several chairs and desks for the newsroom.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nur-ul Afida emphasized the importance of having a newsroom in media and journalism faculties to train students and prepare them for the profession. She mentioned that the high-end equipment provided by Bernama would facilitate students in tasks such as research and layout work, with guidance from lecturers. Nur-ul Afida made these remarks after officiating the opening of the FKPM Newsroom alongside UiTM deputy vice-chancellor Prof Dr Jamalunlaili Abdu
llah during the closing of the UiTM Communication and Media Festival (COMMED).

Present at the event were FKPM dean Dr Abd Rasid Abd Rahman, Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, deputy editor-in-chief Nasriah Darus, Head of Broadcasting Mohd Shukri Ishak, Head of Bernama TV Nor Hamzeela Md Hambali, and Bernama Radio chief operating officer Azlan Idris. Nur-ul Afida also highlighted Bernama’s ongoing partnership with UiTM, noting that many of Bernama’s journalists are UiTM alumni and that the collaboration has been beneficial for both entities since the 1970s.

Meanwhile, FKPM Coordinator for Journalism and Publishing, Khairun Nizam Mohammad Yusuff, stated that the newsroom aims to create an experiential learning space for students, providing them with a real newsroom environment. He expressed his hopes that this initiative would motivate and boost the confidence of students to explore new opportunities in journalism.

Second-year student Muhammad Aidi Syaffri Mohd Idham expressed enthusiasm for the
newsroom facilities, recognizing their importance in a fast-paced educational context. His coursemate, Maria Madelina Kiri, shared similar sentiments, hoping that the new facilities would enhance their skills and knowledge, particularly in the evolving digital journalism landscape.