PR students win gold and silver at MRPA 2024

Two groups of Bachelor of Communication (Honours) Public Relations students from the Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) were recently awarded gold and silver, respectively, at the Malaysia PR Awards (MPRA) 2024, organised by Public Relations and Communications Association of Malaysia (PRCA Malaysia) on 29 November 2024 at the Aloft Hotel KL Sentral.

The gold-award campaign was “We Want No Plastic: We Are Fantastic Without Plastic”, and the silver-award campaign was “The Tale of Pink Ribbon: Get Screened Today”. These campaigns were conducted as part of the coursework for the course UAMP3084 Corporate Social Responsibility, as well as a reflection of their commitment towards serving the community and contributing their parts to improve the environment. They were awarded under the category of Students: Institutions of Higher Learning.

FAS academic Dr Diong Fong Wei, also the campaign advisor, expressed, “Our PR students’ achievements at MPRA 2024 show that the University is on the right path in providing quality education that strives for the importance of both theoretical and practical knowledge. These awards evidence the industry’s recognition of our PR students in the communication field.”

Gold-award winning team Campaign Director Chen Zhi Shan, commented, “This is a proud moment for UTAR as we celebrate our first-ever Gold Award at MPRA 2024. Our project on microplastics caught the attention of industry practitioners, proving the continued importance of recycling and sustainability. As a final-year PR student, I’m so grateful to the CSR course and our project advisor, Dr Diong, for offering the chance to turn classroom learning into real-world experience. Over four months of campaign execution, we built meaningful connections and learned to collaborate with various stakeholders. Receiving this recognition from MPRA not only validates our hard work but also opens doors for future opportunities, including my upcoming internship. It feels amazing for me to lead the team in such a challenging yet important cause.”

A team member of Chen expressed, “From nothing to something extraordinary, we put 100% effort into making the impossible possible in just four months. I’m truly honoured to have worked with such an incredible team of 63 members, guided by Dr Diong. Congratulations to UTAR PR CSR Project 2024! We did it!”

The “We Want No Plastic: We Are Fantastic Without Plastic” campaign aimed to raise awareness about the harmful effects of single-use plastics and inspire people to adopt sustainable alternatives. The campaign also aligned with Malaysia’s Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018-2030. Collaborating partners included Zantat Holdings Berhad, Zaneco Sdn Bhd, HOGA, Gaharu Tea Valley Gopeng, Majlis Daerah Kampar (MDKpr), and Green Energy Asia.

One of “The Tale of Pink Ribbon: Get Screened Today” team member Goon Jae Ann enthused, “It was truly an honour to receive the Silver Award for our project. This achievement would not have been possible without the steadfast support of the university, which provided us the platform for this service-learning project. The journey was transformative, as it enhanced our skills and leadership capabilities in making a meaningful impact on the community. We are also deeply grateful to our advisor, Dr Diong, team members, and everyone who believed in and supported this initiative. This recognition is not just a personal milestone for the whole team, but a testament to the power of guidance, teamwork, collaboration, and service. As we prepare to step into the industry, this experience will remain a cornerstone of our professional and personal growth. Thank you for this incredible honour.”

Another team member, Rachel Lim Zhi Qian commented, “Every step and contribution counted in creating a project that brings positive impacts to the community. It was an unbelievable moment when our project won the Silver Award, and this recognition means our achievement at MPRA 2024 has been acknowledged by industry leaders. I was deeply touched because this award reflects the dedication of every member involved, especially our beloved project advisor, Dr Diong, who was willing to teach and guide us throughout the entire project journey.”

Khew Zhi Xing, another team member also responded, “This award, given by MPRA 2024, has once again proven to us the power of teamwork and the impact of shared vision. As a fresh graduate, I firmly believe that this recognition has not merely enhanced my confidence but also opened limitless pathways for future opportunities and growth. Success is never a solo journey, to success because it’s a collective achievement built together by all of us.”

“The Tale of Pink Ribbon” was formed by 53 PR students, in collaboration with the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM), Majlis Kanser Nasional (MAKNA), AEON Mall Kinta City, and Perak Transit Bhd, which aims to address problems encountered by individuals experiencing breast cancer in Perak and promote early detection.

Throughout the campaign duration, students have conducted various sub-activities to promote and enhance awareness of their campaign goals. Read more about these activities below.

“The Tale of Pink Ribbon: Get Screened Today”

“We Want No Plastic: We Are Fantastic Without Plastic”