Dr Mu Sangar: Pioneering the airwaves with academic excellence
KUALA LUMPUR: Balancing a demanding job, constantly under pressure from individuals at all levels, is undeniably challenging.
Yet, for Dr Mu Sangar, the Tamil news presenter at Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), this challenge catalyses unwavering dedication, believing that his relentless pursuit of academic excellence not only strengthens his personal growth but also fosters resolute credibility and trust among listeners nationwide.
Sangar, who is said to be the first radio news presenter (broadcaster) to hold a PhD in the country, has embarked on a remarkable journey from a chemistry background to a successful career in Tamil radio.
This journey not only breaks barriers and challenges norms but also highlights the incredible impact of dedication and continuous learning throughout life.
“My chemistry background is not at all interrelated with my transition into the field of broadcasting, it is solely interest and passion,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview, recently.
It all began during the vibrant decades of the 80s and 90s when shortwave radio programmes from Malaysia and Singapore cast their spell on young Sangar.
Intrigued and inspired, he ventured into the world of radio, participating in programmes that ignited his fervour for communication. When Radio 6 (Minnal Fm) announced openings for RJ positions, Sangar seized the opportunity, marking the inception of his illustrious career in broadcasting.
Hailing from Selangor, Sangar, 51, finds pursuing a higher degree to be a personal motivation, driven by his belief in the perpetual value of knowledge acquisition.
Recognising the importance of enhancing his proficiency in Tamil and related fields as a broadcaster, he decided to pursue a PhD in Tamil.
By combining contemporary research needs with ancient Tamil literature, Sangar aims to showcase the development of higher-order thinking skills throughout history and emphasises the practical applicability of the knowledge gained from his studies in his everyday life.
For him, only through academic experience could individuals like him gain the confidence and credibility to present themselves effectively to the public.
Armed with this spirit, he ultimately achieved the highest academic success, a PhD from Universiti Malaya, a qualification he fully utilised throughout his 24-year career in the broadcasting industry in Malaysia.
Without looking back, Sangar ventured into a new perspective in broadcasting, focusing on news delivery and production for radio. His foundation as a former broadcaster became an advantage, enabling him to confidently and credibly engage MINNALfm’s loyal listeners. Sangar, who believes in education as an enduring wealth, continued his studies to the PhD level in 2014 at the Department of Indian Studies, Universiti Malaya, despite already having a background in a different field, namely a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) with honours in 1999 from Universiti Sains Malaysia. Subsequently, he pursued his studies in 2011 and obtained a Master’s degree in Tamil Literature (Sanga Ilakkiyam).
His service extends beyond RTM’s newsroom to the national level, particularly in the field of education. In 2019, he was appointed as the head of the Tamil Language Standardisation Council Translation Division under the Ministry of Education.
Furthermore, he conducted Tamil literature research with the assistance of the MyBrain programme from the Ministry of Higher Education. In 2020, Sangar was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree.
Sangar’s PhD, coupled with his extensive experience in the news industry, caught the attention of Universiti Malaya, which appointed him as a fellow in the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics in 2023. He also serves as a part-time translation panellist at the Institute of Translation and Books.
He is so delighted to share his expertise with students while looking forward to future explorations, including writing books on broadcasting and Tamil.
For him, embarking on higher education while navigating a challenging broadcasting career is an investment in both personal and professional development.
“If you are looking for power… you have to look for knowledge first, especially in the field like broadcasting it is very important to enhance ourselves towards a whole human being,” he advised.