GEORGE TOWN, April 30: The Young Practitioners Forum (YPF2025) brought together some 500 enthusiastic undergraduates from universities and colleges across northern Peninsula Malaysia, offering them invaluable career insights into the dynamic fields of strategic communications, public relations, and journalism.
Held here on Monday, the forum was a vibrant hub of learning and networking, organised by the Public Relations Practitioners Society of Malaysia (PRactitioners) in collaboration with Shekhinah PR. PRactitioners was initiated by former Deputy Education Minister Datuk P. Kamalanathan and like-minded public relations professionals last year.
Students from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Han Chiang University College of Communication, SEGi University, INTI International College, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, and University of Wollongong Malaysia participated in the event.
The day kicked off with a compelling panel discussion on “Thriving in Mass Communications”, moderated by Eliza Mohamed (ex-Maybank). Datuk Yong Soo Heong, President of the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI), and Dr Madhavan Nair, Vice President of Talent Corp Malaysia, shared their expertise on the evolving media landscape, effective use of Artificial Intelligence, and essential skills for excelling in the workplace.
Another highlight was the session on “Navigating Crisis from a Malaysian Perspective”, where industry leaders Datuk Najmuddin Abdullah (ex-Senior Vice President of Malaysia Airlines) and Raziz Rashid (ex-Head of Corporate Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office) captivated the audience with real-world examples. Moderated by Prof Hj Mohd Said Bani CM Din, President of PRCA Malaysia, the discussion offered practical strategies for crisis management.
The forum also delved into the challenges of the digital age during the session on Regulating the Digital Age, chaired by Balbeer Singh Jessy (PRactitioners). Devi Annamalai (Head of Regulatory Policy, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission), lawyer S. Saravana Kumar, and Alka Kaur Sandhu (USM) shed light on the Online Safety Bill 2024, emphasising the importance of avoiding online abuse, cyberbullying, and harmful behaviour, which could lead to severe penalties.
Wrapping up the event was a thought-provoking session on Effective Stakeholder Management: Strategies for Success, chaired by Syed Mohammad Idid (PRactitioners). Prof Hj Mohd Said Bani and Ivlynn Yap, Chairman of Citrine PR, shared their insights on navigating crisis and building strong stakeholder relationships.
The forum was officially opened by Dr Kelvin Yii, Political Secretary to Human Resources Minister Steven Sim, who also represented Sim. Yii underscored the importance of strategic communications for nation-building and personal growth of the younger generation besides delivering two Malay pantuns.
Welcoming remarks were earlier delivered by Datuk P. Kamalanathan, Chairman of PRactitioners, Tengku Tan Sri Azlan ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Abu Bakar, Patron of PRactitioners, and Christopher Raj, the Organising Chairman.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, Penang State Executive Chairman on Youth, Sports, and Health, and State Assemblyman for Padang Lalang.
Dr Kelvin Yii (right) receiving a plaque from Tengku Tan Sri Azlan ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Abu Bakar together with Datuk P. Kamalanathan (blue tie) & Christopher Raj on stage