To highlight the increasing prevalence of diabetes in Malaysia, the IPRMSA-INTI International University chapter organised a 3.5 km Fun Run at Taman Saujana Hijau, Putrajaya. Held on 23 November 2024, the event brought together students from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), UOW Malaysia, and Xiamen University Malaysia to promote awareness and healthier lifestyles.
Council members of the Institute of Public Relations Malaysia (IPRM) join students from the IPRM Students Association chapters of INTI and other universities and event committee members for a group photo.
Set along the scenic paths of Taman Saujana Hijau, the untimed run encouraged participants to incorporate regular exercise and lower sugar intake as practical steps in preventing diabetes. This initiative was part of a broader campaign by INTI students to engage communities on critical health issues.
The 3.5 km Fun Run begins as participants set off along the scenic route at Taman Saujana Hijau, Putrajaya.
Jafri Amin Osman, President of the Institute of Public Relations Malaysia (IPRM), officiated the event and stressed the urgent need for awareness. “Approximately 20% of Malaysians, or one in five, are affected by diabetes,” he said. “What’s more concerning is that over 80% of younger generations, such as Gen Z, remain unaware of the dangers. Healthy lifestyles must be encouraged because size alone does not define a healthy body.”
The Fun Run concluded a four-month Health Communication campaign led by INTI students as part of their Public Relations Strategy course. Ameira Nur Iliyani, Mass Communication lecturer and advisor to IPRMSA-INTI explained the campaign’s focus on holistic health. “Our goal was to create impactful events that raise awareness while encouraging action. Communication is a powerful tool to inspire change,” she said. Earlier campaign activities included aerobics classes, sexual health talks, and financial planning workshops, which were well-received by the community.
Students enjoy fun games to win prizes to wrap up the diabetes awareness event.
Student organisers viewed the event as an opportunity to apply their public relations skills while making a positive impact. Casandra Teresa A/P Harrison, a Diploma in Mass Communication student, highlighted the role of teamwork. “This event showed how important clear communication and collaboration are. Everyone worked toward the same goal, and the outcome was incredibly satisfying,” she shared.
Another student, Kathir Vella Siva Kumar, from the Bachelor of Mass Communication programme, described the challenges of ensuring the event’s success. “The delegation of jobs itself was a huge challenge as we had to make sure who was available and who was not, and people would cancel at the last minute, so we had to come up with substitutes,” he explained. “But we had it all in check. Staying patient and resilient was something significant I learned throughout organising this event. Every single IPRMSA member was swamped with work, yet all made the time to make this event an amazing one.”
As diabetes remains a growing concern in Malaysia, the IPRMSA Fun Run shows the potential of youth-driven initiatives in promoting health awareness. By combining public relations expertise with meaningful advocacy, the event showcased how strategic efforts can engage communities and encourage positive change.