Corporate Communication students take home top prizes at NYRE 2024

Ten Bachelor of Corporate Communication (Honours) students from the Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI) emerged victorious at the National Young Reporters for the Environment (NYRE) 2024 competition, demonstrating their exceptional talent in environmental journalism. Competing in the Video Reportage and Video Campaign categories, the teams of UTAR undergraduates secured top prizes, reinforcing their commitment to environmental awareness and advocacy. 

The NYRE competition is part of the global Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programme, an initiative by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). The programme encourages young individuals to investigate environmental issues and present their findings through photography, videography, and written articles. With a strong focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the competition addresses themes such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. This year’s competition witnessed participation from numerous educational institutions across Malaysia, and the UTAR teams stood out for their impactful storytelling and investigative reporting. 

In the Video Reportage category, See Shan Jiang and Izaac Teoh Kai Ren clinched first place, while Sau Zhi Xin and Liang, Xinyi secured second place. In the Video Campaign category, the first-place winners were Sew Yun Qian and Tan Jie Ying, followed by Sarmini Mogan and Jessendra Selvarajan in second place, and Cheok Woan Theng and Pan, Lufan in third place. Their projects tackled pressing environmental challenges, with a focus on water treatment and proper medication disposal, two critical yet often overlooked issues that pose significant risks to public health and ecosystems. 

Sew and Tan’s winning video campaign highlighted the dangers of improper medication disposal, aiming to educate the public on responsible disposal practices to prevent water contamination. Meanwhile, See and Izaac Teoh created a compelling reportage video on water treatment, illustrating the severity of the issue and its far-reaching consequences on biodiversity and human health. These projects not only showcased their creativity and research skills but also emphasised the power of media in raising environmental awareness. 

Reflecting on their participation, Sew and Tan shared that they joined the competition to address the lack of awareness surrounding proper medication disposal, recognising its potential environmental and health impacts. See, on the other hand, was inspired to compete after being introduced to the competition by their lecturer. He saw it as an opportunity to sharpen his skills in investigative journalism while advocating for meaningful environmental causes. 

Winning the competition was an exhilarating experience for the UTAR teams. Sew expressed that the victory was rewarding and served as motivation to continue advocating for crucial environmental issues. See described his excitement upon being named champion, acknowledging the dedication and teamwork that contributed to his team’s success. He also expressed gratitude to his lecturer, FCI academic Ms Jullian Khor Gee Khing, for her continuous guidance and support throughout the competition.
 
The winners received various prizes, including an eco-tourism trip for first-place winners and merchandise worth up to RM300 and RM200 for second and third-place winners, respectively. All winners were also awarded certificates in recognition of their outstanding work. 

UTAR remains committed to encouraging its students to engage in initiatives that promote sustainability and global awareness. The success of these students at NYRE 2024 reflects the university’s emphasis on practical learning, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving. Their achievements serve as an inspiration for future participants, highlighting the importance of using media as a tool for environmental advocacy and change.