VIRTUAL MADRID FOCUS ON PEDAGOGY
Abstract
As global streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ redefine narrative norms, Malaysian media education faces a critical challenge. Aligning traditional studio pedagogy with the realities of platform capitalism. While current literature explores cultural hybridity, it often overlooks how these industrial shifts should reshape curriculum design. This study bridges that gap by investigating how Malaysian filmmakers negotiate transnational identity and responding to rethink media studies education. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with creators from the Digital Indies movement, the research analyses their strategies for navigating algorithmic pressures, censorship, and global visibility. Crucially, the paper translates these insider perspectives into pedagogical interventions. It argues for a shift toward Industry Integrated Learning, where the experiences of negotiating global marketability become central to the syllabus. The findings propose a remodelled educational framework that moves beyond technical training to foster critical platform literacy. By embedding the dynamics of transnational identity negotiation into the classroom, educators can decolonize the curriculum and better prepare students for a diverse, algorithm driven workforce. This research ultimately offers a roadmap for maintaining local cultural specificity while ensuring future graduates are resilient and globally competitive.
Yong Cheng Fei is a distinguished educator and Programme Leader with over a decade of university-level experience in multimedia design. Dual-certified as an Adobe Certified Professional and Professional Technologist (MBOT), he expertly bridges the gap between creative design and innovative technology. As a solution architect, Cheng Fei has revolutionized educational frameworks by integrating advanced ed-tech solutions to enhance learning and administrative efficiency. His forward-thinking approach to curriculum development ensures students are equipped for the dynamic digital landscape.
Professor Dr. Wang Changsong is the Dean of the School of Communication at Xiamen University Malaysia. Additionally, he serves as the Director of the Centre for ASEAN and Chinese Screen Studies (CACSS) at the university. His accomplishments include serving as a jury for several international film festivals held in China and Malaysia. In addition, he holds the title of Programmer and sits on the Selection Committee for the Malaysia International Film Festival and Golden Global Awards.
Bin Yee, Ang, completed her PhD in Film Studies at Queen Mary University of London. Her PhD project is funded by the Queen Mary University of London Humanities and Social Science (HSS) Principal’s Research Studentship. She also holds an MA in Film and Screen Studies from Goldsmiths, University of London. Prior to joining Xiamen University Malaysia, she was a teaching associate (TA) at Queen Mary University of London for two consecutive years during the course of her PhD. She is recognized as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) under the United Kingdom’s (UK) professional standards frameworks.