Guided by Karangkraf’s corporate communications team, 31 students from APU’s School of Marketing and Management (SoMM), along with six lecturers, visited Kumpulan Media Karangkraf in Shah Alam and gained key insights into media integrity, workplace expectations, and large-scale publishing operations.

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In an era where misinformation spreads faster than verified facts, understanding the weight of ethical journalism has never been more vital. 

On 21 October 2026, 31 students from the Media Cluster and Human Resource Management (HRM) disciplines at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation’s (APU) School of Marketing and Management (SoMM) stepped beyond the classroom for an immersive academic-industry visit to Kumpulan Media Karangkraf Sdn. Bhd. in Shah Alam, Selangor.

Karangkraf was founded by Dato’ Dr. Hussamuddin Haji Yaacub in 1978. Today, Karangkraf stands as one of Malaysia’s premier integrated media and publishing powerhouses, spanning newspapers, digital media, magazines, and commercial printing.

Its flagship news outlet, Sinar Harian, boasts a daily print circulation of 80,000 alongside 10 million monthly website visitors. Meanwhile, its digital counterpart, Sinar Daily, earned top accolades at the Digital Media Awards Asia in both 2024 and 2026.

This dynamic blend of heritage prints, and cutting-edge digital publishing provided the perfect backdrop for students across media modules and also allowed HRM students to gain insight about interdepartmental project management in the real world as well as to explore how institutional integrity shapes public trust.

This visit was spearheaded by SoMM Lecturer Ms Zaliha Idris to bridge academic theory with real-world practice. Joining her were fellow academic staff members Ms Nurjahan Othman, Mr Eugene Foo Sheh Chin, Mr Ninderpal Singh Balwant Singh, Mr Pavethere Devan Kanesan, and Mr Han Kok Siew (Patrick), underscoring a shared commitment to multidisciplinary, experiential learning.

A standout highlight was an interactive sharing session led by Mr Nik Justin Nik Mohd Ariffin, Head of Corporate Communications & Strategic Relations at Karangkraf.

Mr Nik Justin pulled back the curtain on how newsrooms navigate sensitive national issues, balancing the urge for speed against the absolute imperative for accuracy and verification. 

He challenged students to consider how media organisations preserve editorial integrity amidst intense digital competition.

Beyond crisis management, Mr Nik Justin shared sharp advice on talent acquisition, stressing that top employers value personal character, integrity, and attitude just as highly as academic achievements.

“I found it particularly meaningful to learn that employers value character, integrity, and professional attitudes, not only academic qualifications,” said Cheong Tung Tung. 

“It reminded me that preparing for a career also means developing the right mindset and personal values.”

His classmate Noa Kurogi agreed, noting that the session revealed how deeply strategic communication choices influence public credibility during high-stakes events.

Following the discussion, corporate communications executives Ms Yasmin Nabila and Mr Shahrul Anuar guided the delegation through Karangkraf’s expansive operations, including Ultimate Print, Karangkraf Mall, and the editorial offices of Grup Buku Karangkraf.

At Ultimate Print, students observed the sheer scale of modern publication, witnessing how newspapers, novels, educational texts, and Al-Quran printings transition seamlessly from digital files to finished products.

“Seeing the different operational arms helped me understand how content is tailored for diverse audiences while maintaining media credibility,” said Aanumtaa Ahmed.

The visit allowed students across various specialisations to contextualise their studies where media and communication students examined verification frameworks; audience and intercultural studies students analysed how content resonates across diverse communities; and HRM students gained direct sight of the workforce competencies required to run a multi-platform media enterprise.

Student Humdoona Zahra Samahon concluded, understanding diverse perspectives is essential for building trust in Malaysia’s multicultural landscape; what began as a study tour delivered a profound lesson in truth, responsibility, and the enduring values that define media excellence.