MPI plans to introduce masterclass featuring journalism bigwigs

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) plans to introduce a masterclass programme, which will be conducted by big names in the fields of journalism, public relations and corporate communications.

MPI chairman Datuk Dr Chamil Wariya said among the well-known figures to be featured in the programme are Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar (television talk show), Datuk A. Kadir Jasin (column writing), Dr T. Selva (crisis management), Datuk Yong Soo Heong (business writing), Premesh Chandran (media management) and Dr Prebagaran Jayaraman (public speaking).

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of MPI's Train-the-Trainer (TTT) yesterday, he said that international journalist personalities will also be invited to conduct MPI's masterclass.

As a leading journalism training centre in the country, Chamil said that MPI always strives to strengthen its short-term training programmes.

"Among the big programmes we have held are the International Journalism Fellowship for seven years using a government grant worth RM5 million, Zamalah Wartawan 1Malaysia course and several others.

"MPI has also collaborated with Universiti Utara Malaysia to hold classes at the master's level in Science (Managerial Communication) for senior journalists," he said.

In addition to empowering MPI's training programmes by helping its regular speakers to be recognised as HRD Corp certified/accredited trainers, he said that MPI also purchased an office unit in Radius Business Park, Cyberjaya, to be used as another training centre, which is currently in the final stages of renovation and ready from mid-September.

He said with the two training centres, MPI can accelerate courses related to journalism, media management, public relations and corporate communication.

Chamil added from next year, the MPI training unit is also required to organise at least 24 training programmes, which are expected to generate revenue of RM360,000 for the body concerned.

"My target is that eventually, MPI will be able to hold weekly training programmes by making full use of the training infrastructure we provide.

"I intend to turn MPI into a training provider comparable to the courses provided by the Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM) in the field of journalism," he said.

He said that MPI is also open to cooperation with other parties who are interested in organising training programmes related to journalism, media, public relations and corporate communication.

-- BERNAMA