If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to see your classroom skills come alive in a real-world media setting, ask any of our 56 IACT College students who recently stepped into the spotlight. Earlier this year, they were invited to take part in the StarROAR Junior Reporter Contest - a dynamic journalism competition hosted by The Star in collaboration with our very own IACT College.

And shine they did.

From 17 February to 30 March 2025, they had the chance to go beyond lectures and deadlines and produce a three-minute Instagram reel featuring an inspirational figure previously highlighted in The Star’s print or online stories. It wasn’t just about recording a video—it was about telling a compelling story, engaging their audience, and using journalistic integrity to inform and inspire.

This wasn’t just another class project for the Diploma in Digital Media & Communication programme . It was an opportunity for these students to experience the pace, creativity, and challenge of the real media industry. And judging by the results, they brought their A-game.

Excellence in Action

Among the many creative and impactful reels submitted, it was the team of Phan Yi Ting, Diane Marie Victor, and Leslie Christopher Anbiah Paul who rose to the top. Their reel, packed with purpose and polished production, clinched the first prize, earning them RM1,000 in e-wallet credits and, more importantly, recognition from one of the leading media organisations in the country.

But win or not, every single participant walked away with something valuable: a hands-on experience that tested your research skills, sharpened their storytelling abilities, and gave them a glimpse into the collaborative nature of modern media production.

What Made the Difference?

Judging was based on more than just technical skill. The students were evaluated on their accuracy, creativity, their ability to integrate real content from The Star, and even the engagement their reel garnered online. It’s this kind of well-rounded assessment that mirrors the real world of journalism and social media content creation—where getting the facts right is just as important as captivating viewers.

In today’s digital-first media landscape, being able to tell a story visually, quickly, and with impact is an essential skill. Whether our students dream of becoming a reporter, producer, or social media manager, this competition gave them the space to experiment and grow in ways that textbooks alone can’t offer.

A Step Towards Your Future

At IACT, we believe in learning by doing. That’s why opportunities like the StarROAR Junior Reporter Contest are built into our students' educational journey. They’re not optional add-ons, they're part of what makes our mass communication programme so dynamic and industry-relevant.

Our students don’t just learn how to write a script; they deliver it. They don’t just study audience behaviour; they measure their own engagement metrics. They’re not waiting until graduation to build their portfolio, they’re building it now, one project, one reel, and one story at a time.

The Spotlight Is Just the Beginning

If you took part in this contest, you’ve already proven that you have the drive and the talent to thrive in the media industry. And if you’re considering a future in journalism, media, or digital storytelling, let this serve as your invitation. This is what we do at IACT - we nurture your creativity, we challenge your thinking, and we put you in the room where it happens.

To all the students who participated: congratulations on a job well done. You didn’t just create content, you created impact. Keep telling stories that matter and keep pushing the boundaries of what you think you can do.

Because at IACT, your future in media doesn’t just start in the classroom. It starts the moment you hit ‘record’.