Research profile
Published work includes SCOPUS-indexed studies on spectator expectations and perceptions of green practices at major sporting events (29th SEA Games), contributing to the fields of event tourism and sustainable event management
Background
Renee Loretta Foong is a visionary communicator and academic with 19 years of experience spanning national broadcasting, public relations, event management, marketing communication, and tertiary education. She brings a rare and powerful blend of live industry leadership and scholarly rigour – a combination that directly benefits students by grounding their learning in the realities of the professional world.
For 12 years, Renee has served as a Newscaster at Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), delivering unbiased national news and conducting live interviews with distinguished guests on talk shows covering current issues and trends. As a freelance Host and Professional Emcee, she has led prestigious corporate, government, and academic events including symposiums, conferences, galas, award ceremonies, and launches. These ongoing roles keep her at the forefront of industry practice, allowing her to bring current, real-world case studies, emerging trends, and professional standards directly into her teaching.
What sets Renee apart is her ability to translate industry experience into classroom value. She does not simply teach from textbooks, she prepares students for the workforce by aligning their learning with actual industry expectations, from media pitching and crisis communication to event execution and stakeholder engagement. Her students gain more than theoretical knowledge, they acquire practical, employable skills shaped by the demands of a rapidly evolving media and communication landscape.
Her teaching philosophy is anchored in student-centred learning, incorporating real-world examples, industry guest speakers, study trips, and community projects that mirror professional environments. As an educator who has taught at multiple leading institutions across Klang Valley, Renee has an adaptable teaching style shaped by diverse student needs and institutional contexts.
Renee holds a Master of Corporate Communication (UPM), and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Curtin University, completing her academic journey full circle as she now returns to her alma mater as faculty. Her dual identity as a practising media professional and dedicated educator ensures that her students are not just theory-ready, but workforce-ready from day one.
Recognitions and awards
- Perkhidmatan Cemerlang Berita RTM(2023), Radio Television Malaysia
- Certified Event Lecturer, Asia Pacific Institute of Event Management (APIEM)
- HRDF Certified Train The Trainer, Human Resources Development Fund, Malaysia
- Presenter, Social Equality Through Social and Behaviour Change (SBC), UNICEF (2024)
- Better Pronunciation for RTM’s Newscasters (2024)
- Geran Putra Recipient, Universiti Putra Malaysia (PhD study)
- Best Presenter Award (Mentor), AFECA International Competition (Malaysia’s inaugural win)
Academic history
Masters of Corporate Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication), Curtin University
Research interests
Digital media studies, environmental communication, and cultural communication
Publications/Patents
- Spectator Expectation of the 29th SEA Games– Asia-Pacific Journal of Innovation in Hospitality and Tourism (APJHIT)
- Spectator Perception of Green Practices at the 29th SEA Games – Asia-Pacific Journal of Innovation in Hospitality and Tourism (APJHIT)
Research grants
Recipient of Geran Putera for PhD
Keynote / invited speaker
Presenter, Social Equality Through Social and Behaviour Change (SBC), UNICEF (2024)
Professional experience
- Newscaster (RTM), 2013 to 2015
- Freelance host and professional emcee, 2013 to present
- Freelance educator, 2015 to 2017 / 2019 to 2026
- Public Relations & Communication Consultant, 2020 to 2021
- Senior lecturer (Taylor’s University), 2017 to 2019
- Lecturer (Berjaya University College of Hospitality), 2011 to 2015
- Manager, Marketing & Communication (Berjaya Times Square Hotel, KL), 2010 to 2011
- Officer, Public Relations & Events (Curtin Malaysia), 2007 to 2010
Professional associations
Certified Event Lecturer, Asia Pacific Institute of Event Management (APIEM)
