Students bring ‘ExquiSeed’ to fruition

By S.K. THANUSHA DEVI | skthanusha@nst.com.my

PROUD MOMENT: Universiti Putra Malaysia lecturers, students unveil their first 24-page newspaper

SERDANG: THE labour of about 40 students and eight lecturers from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in the form of a newspaper was delivered yesterday.

Aptly named ExquiSeed, the 24-page newspaper was produced by the students in the Journalism on Campus project, initiated by The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad.

The project, in collaboration with the Education Ministry, had seen four other universities producing their own students’ newspaper.

ExquiSeed editor, Farjana Rafiq, a 30-year-old modern language and communication PhD student, said that the name was suggested by her team.

“We wanted our paper to be special, hence the name ‘exquisite’ came to mind.

“Our university is known for agricultural studies, so ‘seed’ was the best word for us to combine to it, to represent UPM perfectly,” said the student from Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, student Safwana Haque, the graphics team head, said that it was an eye- opening experience for them to undergo the process of producing the newspaper.

“We saw and did what usually needs to be done in real production of a newspaper.

“It was an amazing experience with my team,” said the 25-year-old engineering student, who is also from Bangladesh.

The students also realised that writing for newspaper was a different genre altogether, and had their writing skills honed by the four weeks of training at the New Straits Times.

Education student, Rouhollah Mahmoudnia said, “we learnt from the reporters and our trainers on how to write different type of stories, I never knew it was such a big difference”.

“Now, I know how to write different genres,” said the 32-year-old student from Iran.

Meanwhile, another education student Rosanne Voon said that the experience brought her out of her “comfort zone”.

“Since I study Teaching English as Second Language, it would be the norm when I’m associated with writing all the time.

“But my father advised me to be in the graphics team so that I can learn different skills, and I’m glad I did,” said the 22-year- old.

UPM vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi said the project had made all students from different backgrounds to work together and produce “a superb newspaper”.

“It is very heartwarming to see the international students, those from different faculties all coming together to learn teamwork, leadership, and immerse in the working world,” said Radin.

“This learning opportunity is what we (UPM) want to give to all our students, irregardless of their courses.

ExquiSeed project mentor Patrick Yeoh said “a fair bit of articles” are already in for the next issue.

“We would try to publish it in September, just after the new students had come in, we want them to contribute to the paper on their first time experience in UPM,” said Yeoh.

Universiti Putra Malaysia vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi (second from left), marketing and communication executive officer Patrick Yeoh (fifth from left) and director Shameem Rafik Galea (fourth from right) with the ‘ExquiSeed’ team during launch of their first issue yesterday. Pic by Rosela Ismail

1 / 1

Students bring ‘ExquiSeed’ to fruition

PROUD MOMENT: Universiti Putra Malaysia lecturers, students unveil their first 24-page newspaper

Leave Your Comment