KUALA LUMPUR, Jul 29 – The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Kuala Lumpur successfully organised its inaugural Persona Profesional: Keterampilan Diri untuk Keyakinan, Kredibiliti dan Kerjaya, a professional development programme aimed at equipping individuals with the confidence, credibility and professional presence required to excel in today’s dynamic workplace.

Held at the Library XChange Hub, UTM Kuala Lumpur, the programme was organised in collaboration with the UTM Kuala Lumpur Library as part of FSSH Kuala Lumpur’s commitment to expanding impactful lifelong learning opportunities for both the university community and the wider public.

The initiative was spearheaded by the FSSH Kuala Lumpur Short Courses Unit and coordinated by Izyanie Khazali, Coordinator of Short Courses. Conceived in response to the growing demand for holistic professional development, Persona Profesional was designed to move beyond conventional grooming workshops by integrating professional image, effective communication, workplace etiquette and personal branding into a comprehensive learning experience that supports career readiness, personal growth and lifelong learning.

The programme attracted 15 participants, comprising UTM staff, students and members of the public. Their participation reflects that professional success today requires more than technical expertise, with communication skills, confidence and professional presence becoming equally important in building credibility and creating meaningful career opportunities.

The full-day programme was facilitated by Mazlina Ali, a Training Consultant at Crestwell Image Consultancy (CIC) and an HRD Corp Accredited Trainer, who drew upon her extensive experience in professional image, corporate etiquette and customer service excellence to deliver an engaging blend of interactive lectures, practical demonstrations and experiential learning activities. Throughout the programme, participants were encouraged to view professional image not merely as outward appearance, but as the integration of confidence, communication and professionalism that shapes first impressions and influences long-term career success.

Sharing her perspective during the programme, Mazlina Ali emphasised, “A professional image is not defined solely by appearance. When combined with effective communication skills, confidence and professionalism, it becomes a powerful asset that opens doors to greater opportunities and long-term career success.”

Participants actively engaged in a variety of practical sessions, including personal colour analysis, skincare and daily makeup techniques, hijab styling, posture and deportment coaching, workplace etiquette, communication skills and personal branding.

The hands-on approach enabled participants to acquire practical knowledge and immediately applicable skills that can enhance both their professional and personal lives.

To further enrich the learning experience, each participant received a specially curated Persona Kit featuring sponsored products from Wardah Cosmetics Malaysia and Nuuha Beauty. More importantly, the initiative exemplified the strength of collaboration between academia and industry. FSSHKL Kuala Lumpur was privileged to collaborate with CIC through Mazlina Ali, whose industry expertise brought valuable real-world perspectives to the programme.

The generous support from Wardah Cosmetics Malaysia and Nuuha Beauty further enhanced participants’ experience while demonstrating a shared commitment to promoting confidence, professionalism and personal development.

The programme concluded with overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants, who described the sessions as insightful, engaging and highly relevant to today’s workplace. Many appreciated the programme’s practical approach and interactive delivery, while expressing their hope that Persona Profesional would become a recurring initiative organised by FSSH Kuala Lumpur.

Reflecting on the programme, Izyanie Khazali shared that Persona Profesional was envisioned as more than a professional grooming programme.

“Today’s workplace demands more than academic qualifications and technical expertise. Confidence, effective communication and professional presence are equally important in shaping opportunities, building credibility and advancing one’s career. Through Persona Profesional, we hope to inspire individuals to continuously invest in their personal and professional growth while embracing lifelong learning as a pathway towards career excellence.”

The success of this inaugural programme marks an important milestone for FSSH Kuala Lumpur as it continues to expand its portfolio of high-impact short courses and professional development initiatives. By bringing together academic expertise, industry collaboration and practical workplace learning, Persona Profesional exemplifies the faculty’s commitment to developing confident, competent and future-ready professionals.

FSSH Kuala Lumpur remains dedicated to delivering impactful lifelong learning programmes that respond to the evolving needs of today’s workforce while strengthening meaningful engagement with the university community, industry and society.

The programme also contributes directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, by promoting inclusive lifelong learning opportunities, and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, through the development of professional competencies that enhance employability, workplace readiness and career progression.