The Institute of Public Relations Malaysia (IPRM) is proud to announce another significant milestone designed to recognize and benchmark excellence in public relations practice in Malaysia. This effort highlights IPRM’s unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity within the PR industry.
The Institute of Public Relations Malaysia (IPRM), the recognized national body for Public Relations, proudly announces the induction of eleven (11) PR practitioners into its prestigious APR fraternity (Accredited Public Relations professionals).
These individuals were selected based on their exceptional education, extensive experience, and invaluable contributions to the global PR Body of Knowledge.
Since its establishment in 1962, IPRM has been a cornerstone in the advancement of PR professionalism, setting the benchmark for best-of-breed PR practices and accreditation.
In today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) operating landscape, IPRM’s unwavering commitment to sustain excellence remains more relevant than ever. “We hope to spread awareness about this accreditation process, which can due recognition and honour the remarkable achievements of PR professionals in Malaysia.
“Our goal is to set a benchmark for quality and ethical practice, ensuring that our members are recognised for their expertise and contributions to the field.” said Doris Lim, Vice President of IPRM.
Sahrein Maloh, the Corporate Communication Manager at Pan Borneo Highway of Jabatan Kerja Raya Sarawak was one of the elated APR recipients.
He said “Obtaining the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) is crucial for PR practitioners as it validates their expertise, strengthens their professional credibility, and showcases a commitment to ethical and strategic communication practices.
Pursuing APR certification not only enhances career prospects but also fosters continuous professional development, ensuring practitioners stay adept in navigating the evolving landscape of public relations.”
Another recipient, the Senior Sales and Marketing Manager at Sri Pelancongan Sabah, Cassie Forsythe exclaimed “Pursuing IPRM’s accreditation has deepened my sense of responsibility and commitment to upholding PR best practices.
In today’s world of easy content access, delivering the right message remains crucial. While public relations is often seen as rapid content creation to reach a wide audience, it’s important for the community to recognize that crafting the right message requires skill and experience. Therefore, equipping Communications Managers with the necessary tools and expertise can significantly enhance brand presence.”
Mohamad Shahizam Fauzi, Head of Communications at Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council also received his APR at the same event. He said “The Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) certification process has helped me to enhance my knowledge of strategic communication and increase my capacity to provide all-encompassing PR solutions.
The path tested me to become proficient in fresh ideas and improve my method of approaching moral decisions in ways that would daily help my clients.
Apart from that, I have developed useful knowledge and abilities that enable me to provide more deliberate and successful communication techniques. The certificate bears testimony to my dedication to lifelong learning and upholding high professional standards, which has helped me advance both personally and professionally in this exciting industry.”
The APR process is judged by a panel of assessors led by PR doyen and Accreditation Chair, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Syed Arabi Idid. The candidates demonstrated a high level of understanding of PR in diverse roles in corporate, government, and NGO campaigns through their case studies and PR insights, and research-based PR articles.
“This documented information adds significantly to a rich PR Body of Knowledge, both local and global, that can help navigate the younger generation of PR practitioners looking to upskill their competency and elevate their careers in the public relations industry,” commented Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Syed Arabi Idid.
All eleven (11) APR candidates, having successfully completed their accreditation requirements – membership approval and application, case studies/PR research publication, interview session, and documentation – have the privilege of using the APR honorific after their name.
As with other established professions, IPRM emphasises the importance of continuous professional development (CPD) via structured education (CPE) and participation in PR industry events and initiatives, for the maintenance of their APR status.
The composite panel of assessors at the accreditation interview, all PR veterans, comprise IPRM Vice President Doris Lim, IPRM Immediate Past President Dato’ Ibrahim Abdul Rahman, CPD Chair JD Lovrenciear, Asst. Accreditation Convenor Abdul Latiff Putih, alongside Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Syed Arabi Idid.
During the accreditation event too, IPRM honoured Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Syed Arabi Idid, former President of IPRM, with the prestigious PR LUMINARY AWARD. Professor Syed Arabi is a highly respected personality in public relations and a prolific researcher.
He serves on the Board of Directors of the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC) and is a founding member of the Asian Network for Public Opinion Research (ANPOR). He is also a member of the World Association for Public Opinion Research (WAPOR) and the International Communication Association (ICA).
His distinguished career includes serving as President of the Commonwealth Association for Education in Journalism and Communication. A renowned Malaysian scholar, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Syed Arabi Idid is a Professor of Communication at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and served as Rector of IIUM from 1st June 2006 to 1st August 2011.
