MEMORIES echoed through the halls as alumni, graduates and lecturers of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s (UKM) Centre for Research in Media and Communication (Mention) gathered in Bangi, Selangor, to bridge five decades of history.
They came together to celebrate the centre’s golden jubilee while reconnecting with friends and lecturers.
The milestone event reflected half a century spent training the media leaders who have defined Malaysia’s communication landscape since Mention was established in 1975 as Jabatan Perhubungan.
Mention chairman Arina Anis Azlan said the centre did not begin with sophisticated digital infrastructure.
“It started as a small department within the faculty, with limited academic staff and very modest rooms.
“Communication back then was tied to physical mediums – the sound of clacking typewriters, static of analogue radio and ink on newsprint.
“Today, five decades later, the world has changed.
“Our students no longer use typewriters; they navigate the currents of artificial intelligence (AI) and social media algorithms.
“But I believe even though the medium has shifted from ink to pixels, the heartbeat of Mention has never changed,” she said in her opening speech for the “Mention 50 Years” celebration.
On the anniversary event, Arina Anis said it was a strategic decision to connect alumni with current graduates.
“The conversation started around last year and some of our alumni, who own businesses and manage large organisations, were keen to contribute.
“Through Mention 50, we want to reconnect with current members, academic staff and students who will be joining the workforce,” she said.
The event featured a three-in-one launch: the golden jubilee celebration, publication of the Mention Alumni book and establishment of the Mention Golden Jubilee Fund.
“This fund is established for the welfare, sponsorship and well-being of our students and staff for the future,” Arina Anis said, adding that the initial target was RM50,000 in contributions.
UKM pro vice-chancellor (strategy and sustainability) Prof Datuk Dr Roslee Rajikan hoped Mention would continue to lead in areas of strategic communication, media literacy, AI and digital communication.
“UKM’s Social Sciences and Management subject area is ranked 146th globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
“Meanwhile, Communication and Media Studies maintains its strong performance, ranking within the 151-200 bracket.
“This achievement proves that the strength of a world-class university lies not only in science and technology, but also in social sciences and humanities disciplines,” said Prof Roslee.
Distinguished alumni who attended the event included Star Media Group Bhd chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng, Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, Mention Prof Emeritus Samsudin A. Rahim, former Sabah rural development minister Datuk Seri Jahid Jahim, former Information Department deputy director-general (digital content) Hashim Bedu and Media Prima Bhd news and current affairs unit chief editor Pang Chinn Fei.
Also present were Golden Jubilee event director Assoc Prof Shahrul Nazmi Sannusi, UKM Alumni Relations Centre director Roslan Jaafar, Jabatan Perhubungan founder and director Prof Datuk Seri Syed Arabi Idid, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities dean Prof Kadarudin Aiyub and Jabatan Perhubungan’s first graduate Prof Dr Asiah Sarji.
