AMIC ASIA COMMUNICATION AWARDS FOR YOUNG LEADERS

Overview

In 2006, the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre, Inc. (AMIC) established the AMIC Asia Communication Awards to recognize outstanding achievements in various areas of communication media. These achievements include contributions to research, education, institution development, and journalism. Since its inception, 26 communication professionals have received the awards.

All past laureates are established icons with proven legacies or impact on Asian communication landscape. Their achievements have helped shape the history of Asian communication, paving the way for future generations.

But in recent past, young Asian communicators have proven to be of equal to earlier generations. It is heartening to see young Asian communicators making significant contributions, showcasing their talent, creativity, and dedication to the field. They are driving innovation, pioneering research, creating cutting-edge technologies, and developing impactful strategies that benefit their communities. They ensure the availability of exceptional communication educators for future professionals.

As digital natives, they are well-equipped to navigate the ever-changing digital landscape, leveraging technology to redefine and reshape the future of Asian communication. Their fresh perspectives and ideas are likely to bring about positive change and progress in the field.

Recognizing young people’s important contributions to Asian communication, AMIC has decided to launch in 2026 the AMIC Asia Communication Awards for Young Leaders to complement the two-decade old AMIC Asia Communication Award.

Objectives

The objectives of this new Award category are to:

Recognize young Asian communicators who have brought honor and pride to the Asian communication community;
Encourage young professionals to further excel in and contribute to their chosen communication media profession; and
Promote more excellent outputs (e.g., research, publications, multimedia productions, technology and inventions) that give recognition to Asian communicators as innovators and pioneers.

DESIRED NOMINEES

Our young Asian communicator is someone below 40 years old as of December 2025 and has a distinguished practice as evidenced in one or more of the following:

Significant body of research work on communication and media studies (including internet, digital technologies, and telecommunications)
Outstanding media/journalism outputs (print, broadcast, film, multimedia) as recognized by peers or award-giving bodies
Innovative and pioneering technologies especially software applications for development
Exceptional professional offline (print)/online publications
Notable teaching career
Prominent mid-level to senior management work in an established communication media organization
Pioneering and successful start-up companies

Desired nominees for the AMIC Asia Communication Award for Young Leader should have exhibited exemplary contributions and have shown consistent dedication to any of the following areas:

Journalism Education and Training
Journalism Practice
Journalism Studies/Research
Communication Education and Training
Communication Media Scholarship/Research
Communication for Development/Development Communication Practice
Public/Government Information
Integrated Marketing Communication (including PR and Advertising)
Digital Communication/Media (including Internet, social media and Artificial Intelligence)
Inventions and innovations (with copyright, patent and other proofs of ownership)
Communication/media entrepreneurship
Others

The following are among the qualities of the AMIC Asia Communication Award for Young Leader Awardee:

Commitment to the principles of free and independent communication media/journalism;
Contribution to Asian communication media/journalism theory and model building and development;
Excellence in the practice of Asian communication media/journalism profession/discipline;
Significant contributions to Asian communication media/journalism profession/discipline through research, publications, institution-building, research and development;
Extensive service and passion for Asian communication education and training;
Introduction of innovative or pioneering Asian communication media/journalism programs and projects

NOMINATION PROCESS

Nomination will have two complementary processes: (1) Nomination by AMIC Asia Communication Award Executive Nominating Committee and (2) Open Nomination.

The AMIC Board will appoint a five-member body of esteemed Asian communication scholars and practitioners with extensive networks, each serving a minimum three-year term. The Nominating Committee will independently submit nominees for the AMIC Asia Communication Award and AMIC Asia Communication Award for Young Leaders.

The Award Executive Nominating Committee members will be drawn from the following groups: (1) Association of global (regional) communication professionals (educators, researchers, practitioners); (2) AMIC Lifetime Members; (3) Previous AMIC Asia Communication Award winners; (4) Heads of communication/journalism schools; (5) Asian youth leaders; and (6) Former AMIC officials, including Board of Directors, Board of Management, and Secretaries-General.

The open nomination process refers to the existing system where the AMIC Secretariat receives nominations from AMIC members and partners within a specified timeframe.

All nomination forms received through both tracks will be included in Phase One of the screening process.

Nominators must submit a duly filled-out nomination form and supporting documents. The nominee is expected to assist the nominator in completing the nomination form.

The nomination form may be downloaded here.

Nomination forms, including supporting documents, must be uploaded in the Google Drive folder created by AMIC via this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kKPZ0IgUlaLd90tIu7-NUxjlyoyYrZbP?usp=drive_link

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

Professional Qualifications 20 pts.

Contributions to the field and discipline 40 pts.

Impact of Work 20 pts.

Citations & Significance of Scholarship,
Teaching, Research and Development 20 pts.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process shall consist of three phases, namely:

Phase One will be undertaken by a screening committee which will review compliance of entries with the Award requirements and the adequacy of completed nomination forms and supporting documents.

Phase Two will determine the short-listed nominees (at least three) through a Preliminary Board of Judges composed of representatives from the AMIC Board of Management, AMIC Country Representatives, international NGO, and international youth organizations.

Phase Three will be the final selection of the winner by a composite Final Board of Judges. The final Board of Judges shall consist of past AMIC Asia Communication Awardees, representatives from the AMIC Board of Directors and international organizations, Asian youth leader, and well-known development specialists and communication experts from different countries of Asia.

The young communication laureate will receive an AMIC Certificate of Honor and Trophy.

TIMELINE

The deadline for submission of nomination forms is on 15 May 2026. The schedule of activities is as follows:

Activity	Schedule	Remarks
Evaluation of nomination forms and supporting documents	01 to 30 June 2026	Screening Committee
Selection of short list of nominees	01 to 31 July 2026	Preliminary Board of Judges
Selection of awardees for 2026	01 to 31 August 2026	Final Board of Judges
Awarding proper	November 2026 (tentative)	32^nd AMIC Annual Conference Committee