Taylor’s University Students Clinch PRCA Asia Pacific 2026 Award For ‘Stories of Betau’ Campaign

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06 May 2026

6 Min Read

Najah Tarmidzi (Academic Contributor)

IN THIS ARTICLE

The final-year Public Relations students from Taylor’s University have earned regional recognition after their 'Stories of Betau' project was named winner of the Student Campaign Award at the PRCA Asia Pacific (PRCA-APAC) Awards 2026 in Singapore.

 

The campaign, led by lecturer Najah Tarmidzi, was originally developed as a final-year Public Relations Consultancy module project and was executed over a tight 14-week semester. It set out to bridge gaps in awareness and understanding of the Orang Asli Betau community, focusing on children from SK Pos Betau in Kuala Lipis, Pahang.

Najah Tarmidzi

Amplifying Orang Asli voices through community-led storytelling

Through a storytelling-led and ethically grounded approach, 'Stories of Betau' foregrounded authentic voices and lived experiences from the community, offering audiences a more nuanced and humanised view of a group often underrepresented in mainstream discourse. The initiative was run under Taylor’s Liveable Urban Communities Impact Lab, aligning with the university’s broader sustainability and community-impact agenda.

Project for the campaign

Working closely with SK Betau teachers and the Betau community, the students conducted workshops with secondary school students on digital literacy and storytelling skills, empowering them to share their own narratives online. Younger children contributed artwork under the theme 'My Home Betau', which was incorporated into campaign materials, so their perspectives were both heard and seen.

Group of students

Turning classroom learning into social impact

Despite the constraints of an academic timetable, the team navigated real-world challenges similar to those faced by industry professionals, balancing creativity with ethical responsibility, particularly when representing children and indigenous identities. These experiences not only enriched their learning, but also reinforced the importance of thoughtful, responsible communication in advocacy work.

 

On digital platforms, 'Stories of Betau' leveraged Instagram as its primary channel and generated more than 230,000 views, surpassing its initial targets and attracting strong engagement from both followers and new audiences. Beyond reach, the content sparked emotional responses, encouraging viewers to reflect, connect and share, and in doing so reshaped perceptions while amplifying indigenous voices.

The bag

Najah said the award underscored the potential of student-led campaigns to create meaningful social impact beyond the classroom. 'This recognition is a testament to the students’ commitment to ethical storytelling and their respect for the Orang Asli community. It shows that when we listen carefully and co-create with communities, public relations can be a powerful tool for change,' she said.

 

The recognition at PRCA-APAC places Taylor’s Public Relations students on a regional stage, signalling the strength of its practice-based curriculum and its emphasis on purposeful, impact-driven work. The university plans to continue supporting initiatives that combine academic rigor with community engagement, ensuring students graduate with both professional skills and a deeper sense of social responsibility.

From strategic communication and digital storytelling to campaigns that drive meaningful social change, Taylor’s Mass Communication programmes empower you to turn ideas into influence. Explore how you can develop the creative, critical, and industry-ready skills to shape conversations that matter.

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