Amanda Mojilip graduated UNM in 2019, where she studied International Communication Studies with Film and Television and French. She is passionate in doing volunteer work and currently serves as a Media Unit Coordinator at PACOS Trust, which is a community-based, non-profit organisation in Sabah. 

As a finalist for the 'Culture and Creativity Awards,' Amanda is pleased that her contributions to culture and the arts, particularly those related to preserving indigenous community art forms, are being recognised. This acknowledgment is crucial in raising awareness about the collective efforts currently ongoing for the preservation of our traditions, languages, folklore, and communal practices. 

This underscores the idea that Indigenous Peoples can independently tell their own stories without relying on present mass media organisations, fostering a sense of autonomy and self-representation within their communities. 

Our team at Alumni and Donor Relations Office (ADRO) had the opportunity to interview Amanda and get her insights into the award and her time at UNM. 

ADRO: How did your studies at UNM help you in your position as a Media Unit Coordinator today? Is there a specific skill you learned that you apply to your work? 

Amanda: One specific skill that has proven invaluable is my ability to analyse and interpret visual narratives, a skill honed during my film courses. This played a crucial role in my mindfulness when crafting narratives for films and stories about indigenous communities. It contributes significantly to my ongoing efforts to help decolonise indigenous media. It sharpened my intuition, providing a valuable skill set for approaching these narratives with sensitivity and cultural awareness.  

I am forever grateful to have crossed paths with cool lecturers who encourage independent thinking and provide a safe space to expose our ideas to the danger of controversy. Because of this, it has built my confidence in speaking up and amplifying the voices of Malaysian indigenous youths during high-level advocacy events. 

It has also allowed me to participate in international fellowship programmes. As a result, I am now an alumna of the Asia-Europe Foundation Young Leaders, a graduate of the 2023 Freedom Film Fellowship, and a recipient of the 2024 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Professional Fellows Programme. 

ADRO: As a finalist of the Study UK Alumni Awards, what do you think is the impact of this award on the way alumni are being recognised and appreciated? In what ways is it beneficial to you? 

Amanda: As a finalist for the 'Culture and Creativity Awards,' I am pleased that my contributions to culture and the arts, particularly those related to preserving indigenous community art forms, are being recognised. 

This acknowledgment is crucial in raising awareness about the collective efforts currently ongoing for the preservation of our traditions, languages, folklore, and communal practices. I hope that by showcasing these efforts, it inspires indigenous youths in Malaysia to take pride in the role of becoming stewards of ancestral knowledge passed down from their elders. 

ADRO: What was your favourite part about studying International Communication Studies with Film? 

Amanda: My educational journey wasn't just confined to traditional classrooms; it was spiced up with trips to French restaurants and film festivals that did wonders for my language skills and cultural understanding. Huge shoutout to my awesome French professors – not only were they top-notch teachers, but they also flexed their culinary skills. They managed to turn the labyrinth of French conjugation into bite-sized, digestible lessons through the magic of French cuisine. 

And not forgetting my Tuesday evening film classes – they were like a breath of fresh air. Sure, they were academically challenging, but they also served as a great escape to the mundane. Picture it: a curated cinematic experience, providing not just mental stimulation but contributing to a well-rounded education. The structured yet super enriching nature of these experiences brought a whole new dimension to my academic journey. 

ADRO: Lastly, would you encourage other UNM alumni to participate in awards such as the Study UK Alumni Awards? What would you like to say to them? 

Amanda: Yes, because you deserve the visibility and recognition of your hard work, especially if you have a career in civil society work or activism—an 'unconventional' career path that often involves dedication and passion. 

Participating in awards provides a platform to showcase the impact of your efforts, not only for personal acknowledgment but also to inspire others considering similar paths. Your commitment to social change and advocacy deserves to be celebrated, contributing to the broader narrative of the significant contributions alumni make beyond traditional career trajectories. It's an opportunity to highlight the importance of diverse career choices and the profound influence they can have on shaping a better, more inclusive society. 

If Amanda could describe her time at UNM in three words, it would be: Free-spirited, wholesome, and blossoming.