GROUP PHOTO: Asst Prof Dr Chan (6th from left onwards) joined by Gloria Chan, lecturers and students of the Mass Communication programme in a group photo

ASPIRING JOURNALIST: Muhammed Abdul Moiz with one of the photos that he had taken during the Ramadhan month.

GLOBAL VIEW: Muhammed Abdul Moiz shares with Asst Prof Dr Chan and Gloria Chan his views on the Ramadhan month in Malaysia and his home country, Sri Lanka.

WORDS OF WISDOM: Asst Prof Dr Chan commenting on Benjamin Teow’s photos taken at cosplay conventions.

THE OTAKU FAN: Benjamin Teow with one of the photos that he taken at a cosplay convention.

KUALA LUMPUR: UCSI University’s Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts (FOSSLA) recently held its first Photojournalism Exhibition. 

Organised over three days by FOSSLA’s Mass Communication Department on campus grounds, the Exhibition showcased the portfolios of two senior students, Benjamin Teow Sze Khoon and Muhammed Abdul Moiz. 

The official launch of the Exhibition was attended by Dean, Asst Prof Dr Chan Nee Nee and Mass Communication Head of Department, Gloria Chan Choi Sim. 

According to Chan, the Exhibition is part of the Faculty’s effort to provide students the opportunities to showcase their craft and to break into the world of photojournalism. 

“We always encourage our students to put themselves out there, to share with the world what they have. We hope that events like this, gives them confidence and motivation to improve their skills,” she said. 

Teow – a big fan of anime and manga – decided to showcase the photos that he had taken at cosplay conventions as well as comic and caricature workshops. 

“After attending my first Comic Fiesta in 2007, I was hooked. Since then, I would attend all the cosplay shows and comic-related workshops because I get to see all kinds of people, not only dressed as their favourite anime character but acting as them as well,” he explained. 

Acknowledging that the photos showcased are mostly self-explanatory, Chan also praised the students on their well-written cutline. 

“The students did an excellent job in capturing moments but we teach them that a well-written cutline is one of the most important criteria that makes a good photojournalist.” 

The importance of a succinct cutline is agreed upon by Muhammed whose theme for the Exhibition was Ramadhan. 

“While I’m still an amateur in photography, I’d like to improve on my writing because that’s what I think I’m better at. And through this exhibition, I’m looking forward to receive comments and critiques to improve my writing skills,” said the aspiring journalist from Sri Lanka.