Front row, from left: Faculty members Marie Gabrielle Ba-ang, Fatimah Mecca Samanodi-Mejos, and Jestoni Jumamil, together with Engr. Clyde Pudpud, Head of Engineering at PTV Davao, pose with BA Communication students at the Mindanao Media Hub
Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao (Mapúa MCM) strengthened experiential learning in communication education through the Bachelor of Arts in Communication (BA COMM) Industry Visit, which brought first- and third-year BA COMM students to the Mindanao Media Hub and SunStar Davao. Organized by the College of Arts and Science (CAS) BACOMM Program, the activity provided students with firsthand exposure to the operations and professional practices of the journalism and broadcasting industries.
The industry visit was designed to bridge classroom learning with real-world application by immersing students in the day-to-day operations of established media organizations. Through guided discussions and facility tours, students learned valuable insights into newsroom workflows, editorial decision-making, news production processes, and the professional standards that shape responsible journalism.
A key highlight of the activity was the students’ exposure to multimedia news production at the Mindanao Media Hub, where they learned about the technical and operational aspects of delivering timely and credible news. At SunStar Davao, students explored editorial processes and newsroom operations while engaging in discussions on the evolving role of journalism in today’s rapidly changing media landscape.
The visit featured conversations on the current challenges confronting media organizations, including digital transformation, audience engagement, and maintaining journalistic integrity in an increasingly competitive information environment. Students raised critical questions about how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in journalism and the demands of keeping pace with the fast-moving news cycle. Industry practitioners emphasized that the AI should be viewed as a tool that can assist with tasks such as proofreading and grammar checking but cannot replace the role of journalists. They also shared practical newsroom strategies for meeting tight deadlines, including preparing the structure or backbone of news stories in advance for anticipated events and developing stories efficiently as information becomes available.
Ms. Cristina E. Alivio, Editor-in-Chief of SunStar Davao, engages Mapúa MCM BA COMM students in a discussion on newsroom operations, journalism practices, and the evolving media landscape during the BA COMM Industry Visit at the SunStar Davao office.
Among the persons who welcomed the students were Ms. Cristina E. Alivio, Editor-in-Chief of SunStar Davao, who shared insights into editorial leadership and news production, and Engr. Clyde Pudpud, Head of Engineering at PTV Davao, who discussed the technological infrastructure that supports modern broadcasting operatio
Mapúa MCM BA COMM students during the visit to SunStar Davao office for an immersive learning experience in journalism, broadcasting, and newsroom operations.
Through this initiative, Mapúa MCM continues to cultivate future communication professionals by providing meaningful industry exposure that complements academic instruction. By connecting students with media practitioners and real-world learning environments, the institution reinforces its commitment to producing graduates who are adaptable, ethical, and industry-ready. This initiative supports SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure by fostering collaboration between academia and the media industry while promoting innovation and professional excellence in communication education.