KUALA LUMPUR: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki wants the MRSM Bintang Media programme to be held annually through its collaboration with Media Prima Berhad.
Asyraf said he believed the programme could be expanded to help MRSM students excel not only in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), but also in communication, writing and journalism.
"I will ask the management to prepare a proposal to continue this strategic collaboration in the coming years.
"By adding value through communication, writing and journalism skills, we can improve the quality of learning and education," he said at the closing ceremony of the 2026 MRSM Bintang Media programme today.
Also present were Media Prima News and Current Affairs managing director Jasbant Singh, Media Prima Berhad News and Current Affairs deputy group managing editor Datuk Farrah Naz Abd Karim, who is also the New Straits Times group editor; Television Networks News and Current Affairs group editor Datuk Azhari Muhidin; and New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad chief operating officer Luqman Adrine Ja'afar.
Asyraf said the programme gave students access to information and guidance from industry practitioners, particularly Media Prima experts, while exposing them to the realities of the media industry.
He described the initiative as a game changer in improving the quality of students.
"In the past, newspaper subscriptions were mainly used for classroom activities.
"Today, however, programmes such as this offer students a new perspective, particularly on the entertainment, journalism and broadcasting industries, which have evolved with the times," he said.
Jasbant said the programme was introduced to provide students with a more engaging learning experience in journalism, media literacy, strategic communication and digital content creation.
He said it had attracted 678 students from 58 MRSM campuses nationwide since its online launch on Sept 8.
"We hope this programme will become a platform to discover and develop young talent in the media industry, while boosting students' confidence, creativity and communication skills.
"At the same time, we hope it will further strengthen the strategic relationship between Mara and Media Prima in providing more meaningful learning experiences and direct exposure to the realities of the media industry," he said.
MRSM Bintang Media 2026 was held under the Siri Jelajah MRSM and Media Prima Talent Development Programme to give students first-hand exposure to the media industry through direct learning from experienced practitioners.
It featured four categories: Journalism and News Writing by Berita Harian; The Art of Writing and News Journalism by New Straits Times; Broadcasting and News Presentation; and Photojournalism and Visual Storytelling.
Online coaching sessions covering all four categories were held from Sept 8 to 11.
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