PHOTO STORY: Gems of Malaysia

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

Snap a photo depicting the uniqueness of Malaysia through your vision. Express what the photo means by writing a 100-word caption explaining why you select this photo as a ‘Gem of Malaysia’ and describe how it relates to your personal experience or story.

• Participations are opened to all UPM students.
• Participants are only allowed to submit ONE entry.
• Photo submitted MUST be original and taken by the participant (it should not be AI generated, taken from the internet or elsewhere).
• Photo’s slogan should be original work (it should not be plagiarised or written using any AI applications).
• The length of the caption is 100 words. The number of words MUST be written at the end of the slogan.
• Entry submitted after the deadline will not be entertained.
• Judges’ decision is final.
• Photo uploaded on the google form should be renamed to the participant’s full name followed by matric number.
• Copyright and Usage: Participants hold the ownership rights to the photos taken, but the organiser reserve the right to use the photos for promotional and publishing purposes.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

File Format

• JPEG (.jpg / .jpeg) – Standard format, widely accepted, or
  PNG (.png) – Accepted for high quality but usually larger in size.

Resolution / Size

• Minimum: 3000 pixels on the longer side (around 8–10 megapixels) → ensures good quality for digital viewing and possible exhibition printing.
• Recommended: At least 300 dpi (dots per inch) for clarity if printed.
• Aspect ratio: Free (4:3, 3:2, 16:9 allowed), but cropping should not distort the story.

File Size

• Between 2 MB – 10 MB (to balance quality with upload practicality).

Editing / Manipulation

• Basic adjustments allowed (brightness, contrast, sharpness, cropping, colourcorrection).
• NO heavy digital manipulation that alters reality (e.g., adding/removing major elements). The story must remain authentic.

Caption

• About 100 words (±5 words tolerance).
• Must be original, written by the participant, in English

Additional Judging Notes (Optional)

• Authenticity should be prioritized over “perfection.” The competition is about personalexperiences rather than just technical brilliance.
• The photograph and caption should work together to give a deeper sense of identity, culture, and belonging in Malaysia.
• Encourage diversity of perspectives — urban, rural, cultural, everyday life, traditions, struggles, and aspirations.

DETAILS OF SUBMISSION

• Fill in the details as shown below in the google form (link provided) and upload your original photo (photo should be renamed to your full name followed by your matric number).

a. Email address:
b. Matric number:
c. Full name:
d. Phone number:
e. Course:
f. Faculty:
g. Photo’s caption:

CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES

• Winners and participants will take home amazing prizes and certificates.

DISCLAIMER

• By entering this competition, you are explicitly consenting to the photo and slogan you have
  provided being held, processed, and used by the competition organisers.
• This event is organised by the English Language Proficiency Division, CALC, UPM.

LINK TO SUBMIT ENTRY : https://forms.gle/mf47J29SMG7mBqXi7

Date of Input: 31/10/2025 | Updated: 31/10/2025 | lailatul