i-COME'26

About i-COME'26

The International Conference on Communication and Media (i-COME) is a biennial academic conference organised by the School of Multimedia Technology and Communication, Universiti Utara Malaysia. The conference provides an international platform for academics, researchers, postgraduate students, policy makers and practitioners to exchange ideas, present research findings and build collaboration.

The 2026 edition continues i-COME's focus on the changing communication landscape, with particular attention to responsible communication in the digital era and the growing influence of artificial intelligence.

Conference Focus

Responsible Communication in the Digital Era

Conference Theme: "Navigating Global Communication through Digital Competence for a Sustainable Future"

The International Conference on Communication and Media 2026 (i-COME'26) invites scholars, practitioners, and advocates to submit complete, original and unpublished research papers for our upcoming conference on "Navigating Global Communication through Digital Competence for a Sustainable Future". As global challenges and societal divides become increasingly complex, the role of communication in shaping ethical practices, social responsibility and collective well-being has become more important across academic, professional and community settings.

i-COME'26 addresses the critical challenge of fostering responsible communication practices across related fields, particularly in digital communication, with a specific focus on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

The conference encourages discussion on ethics, well-being, innovation, media transformation and the social impact of communication technologies in local and global contexts.

Important Dates

Abstract Submission Deadline

16 April 2026

Conference Dates

11-13 September 2026

Conference Mode

Hybrid

Location

Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Submission Guidelines

Author Template

Download the Official i-COME'26 Paper Template

Use the official conference template before preparing your manuscript. This Word file is the recommended starting point for title, headings, formatting and reference layout.

Download Paper Template File: icome26_2026.docx

Who Should Submit

Authors are invited to submit complete, original and unpublished work related to theoretical, methodological or practical aspects of communication and media.

Abstract Requirement

Abstracts should be concise, relevant to the conference scope and submitted through the conference management system before the stated deadline.

Paper Preparation

Papers should follow the official conference template and author guidelines. The submission portal should be used for the latest formatting instructions, review requirements and camera-ready updates.

Review Process

Submitted papers are screened and reviewed for originality, relevance and scholarly contribution through the conference review workflow.

Call for Papers

View the official i-COME'26 call for papers poster for submission details, scope and key dates.

Fees and Payment

Online & Onsite Presenter RM800 early bird

Onsite Presenter RM900

Online Presenter RM850

Partner Institution RM800

Postgraduate Student RM700

Non-presenter RM600

Official fee reference from the latest published i-COME page: smmtc.uum.edu.my/i-come

Latest Official Reference

The current i-COME'26 main page shows the latest fee schedule for 2026. The payment section below has been updated to match the live page rather than the older i-COME'24 schedule.

Payment guidance note: the rates and date limits below follow the latest official i-COME'26 page view.

Conference Fees

Online and Onsite Presenter: RM800 (early bird)
Onsite Presenter: RM900 (normal rate)
Online Presenter: RM850 (normal rate)
Partner Institution: RM800
Postgraduate student: RM700
Non-presenter: RM600

Fee Conditions

Early bird deadline on the official page: on or before 2 July 2026.
Normal-rate registration deadline on the official page: last date registration on 1 Aug 2026.
Registration fees include conference admission and conference package materials.

Local Payment Procedures

Online payment via credit card, internet banking or FPX through UUM e-com.
Use the official UUM e-com portal to complete payment.
The payment reference on the page should match the current i-COME'26 payment instructions.
Local cheque payable to Universiti Utara Malaysia is also listed on the official page.
Portal: e-com.uum.edu.my

International Payment Procedures

Telegraphic transfer details should follow the current i-COME'26 payment page.
Wire transfer fees are borne by the registrant.
Please forward the TT receipt to icome@uum.edu.my or fax it to +604 9285804.

Cancellation Policy

Please refer to the live i-COME'26 page for the latest cancellation policy, as the current page view does not show the 2024 cancellation wording that was previously copied here.

Written cancellation requests should be directed to icome@uum.edu.my.

Payee and Secretariat

Payee: Universiti Utara Malaysia
Reference remark should follow the current i-COME'26 payment page wording.
Secretariat email: icome@uum.edu.my
Fax for payment verification: +604 9285804

Conference Venue

i-COME'26 will be conducted as a hybrid conference, allowing participation both in person and online. On-site participants are invited to join the conference in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia for paper presentations, academic exchange and networking.

Borneo Cultures Museum

The Borneo Cultures Museum is located in the centre of Kuching city next to Padang Merdeka. This five-storey building is designed in a modern style, with distinctive architectural features that reflects Sarawak’s unique traditional crafts and rich cultural heritage.

Host City

Kuching is the capital city of Sarawak, known for its riverfront, heritage streets, museums, food culture and easy access to major city attractions, making it an attractive destination for conference participants.

The Waterfront Hotel

Located at 68 Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, 93000 Kuching, this hotel sits in the city centre above Plaza Merdeka and near the Sarawak River. Its official site highlights walkable access to the waterfront and heritage district.

Website: thewaterfrontkuching.com

Hilton Kuching

Located on Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, 93100 Kuching, Hilton Kuching is on the Sarawak River waterfront. The official hotel page notes city-centre access, nearby Main Bazaar and Kuching Waterfront, and airport travel time of about 20 minutes.

Website: hilton.com

Harbour View Hotel

Harbour View Hotel is positioned in Kuching's Golden Triangle with close proximity to the Sarawak River, Kuching Waterfront and nearby historic areas, making it another practical city-centre option for attendees.

Website: harbourview.com.my

Accommodation note: Imperial Hotel Kuching, Sarawak is the conference hotel. The additional hotels listed above are alternative accommodation options for attendees who prefer to stay elsewhere in Kuching.

Publication

ISBN Proceedings

Scopus / MyCite Opportunity

Double-Blind Review

Publication Outcome

All accepted and presented papers will be published in the official conference proceedings with an ISBN, ensuring global accessibility and academic recognition.

Selected high-quality papers will be recommended for submission to reputable Scopus or MyCite-indexed journals, providing authors an opportunity to elevate their research impact. Please note that journal acceptance is subject to the respective publisher's rigorous review process and will require an additional publication fee.

Peer review process standard

At our conference, we uphold the highest standards of academic rigor and integrity through a meticulous peer review process. Each submission undergoes a double-blind review, ensuring anonymity and impartiality for both authors and reviewers.

Double-Blind Review Process

Submission

Authors submit their papers without any identifying information. This includes removing names, affiliations, and any self-referencing details that could reveal the author's identity.

Reviewer Assignment

Each paper is assigned to two expert reviewers in the relevant field. Reviewers are selected based on their expertise to provide insightful and constructive feedback.

Evaluation Criteria

Reviewers assess submissions based on originality, significance, methodological rigor, and clarity of presentation. They provide detailed comments and recommendations to help authors improve their work.

Anonymity

Throughout the review process, both authors and reviewers remain anonymous. This double-blind setup ensures that reviews are free from bias, based solely on the content and quality of the submission.

Decision Making

Based on the reviewers' feedback, the conference committee makes decisions regarding acceptance, revision, or rejection of the papers. Authors receive comprehensive feedback to guide any necessary revisions.

Revision and Final Decision

Authors may be asked to revise their papers in response to reviewers' comments. Revised submissions are re-evaluated, and final decisions are made regarding their inclusion in the conference publication.

Our double-blind peer review process is designed to maintain the highest standards of fairness and excellence, fostering a scholarly environment where innovative ideas and research can thrive.

Conference Topics

Organisational Communication

Communication strategy, leadership, institutional reputation and workplace communication.

Communication for Social Change

Advocacy, development communication, community engagement and inclusive participation.

Intercultural Communication

Cross-cultural interaction, identity, language, migration and global communication practice.

Media and Journalism

News production, media ethics, misinformation, platform change and public discourse.

Digital Media and Society

Social media ecosystems, digital culture, online communities and audience behaviour.

Artificial Intelligence and Communication

AI-assisted content, automation, analytics, ethics, governance and future communication systems.

Strategic Communication

Public relations, branding, crisis communication, campaign planning and stakeholder engagement.

Communication and Education

Media literacy, digital pedagogy, educational communication and knowledge dissemination.

i-COME Proceedings

The official i-COME main page lists proceedings for i-COME'14, i-COME'16, i-COME'18, i-COME'20 and i-COME'22.

i-COME'14

Communication, Empowerment and Governance: The 21st Century Enigma

i-COME'16

SHS Web of Conferences Volume 33 proceedings listing

i-COME'18

e-Proceedings for the 2018 conference edition

i-COME'20

Breaking the Barriers, Inspiring Tomorrow

i-COME'22

The Future Communication Landscape: Envisioning Global and Technological Changes

Photo Gallery

The official i-COME page lists Facebook photo galleries for i-COME 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020. The links below open Facebook searches for each conference gallery year.

i-COME 2004 Open on Facebook i-COME 2006 Open on Facebook i-COME 2008 Open on Facebook i-COME 2010 Open on Facebook i-COME 2012 Open on Facebook i-COME 2014 Open on Facebook i-COME 2016 Open on Facebook i-COME 2018 Open on Facebook i-COME 2020 Open on Facebook

Organizing Committee

The following is the full Organizing Committee (Universiti Utara Malaysia) published on the official SMMTC i-COME page. This is the latest official committee listing available on that site.

Patron

Prof. Dr. Ahmad Martadha Mohamed

Vice Chancellor

Universiti Utara Malaysia

Advisors

Prof. Dr. Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International Affairs)

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Khairie Ahmad

Dean, School of Multimedia Technology and Communication, UUM

Conference Leadership

Conference Director: Dr. Jamilah Jamal

Deputy Director: Dr. Mohd Zuwairi Mat Saad

Secretary: Dr. Joyce Cheah Lynn-Sze

Treasurer: Miss Nuredayu Omar

Treasurer: Madam Rahana Ramli

Publicity and Promotion

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Syarizan Dalib

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd. Khairie Ahmad

Dr. S. Maartandan a/l Suppiah

Scientific and Publication

Prof. Dr. Norhafezah Yusof

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Azlina Kamaruddin

Dr. Norhayati Mohamad Hussein

Dr Nursafwah Tugiman

Protocol and Registration

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Romlah Ramli

Dr. Adibah Ismail

Logistic and Technical

Miss Nuredayu Omar

Dr. Mohd Zuwairi Mat Saad

Mr. Muhamad Ikram bin Muhamad Najib

Sponsorhip

Dr. Sharina Samsudin

Dr. Mehellou Ali

Invitation and Conference Participation

Dr. Suhaini Muda

Madam Marzura Ibrahim

Special Task

Madam Nor Sakiroh Binti Hanapi

Madam Nurfaizah Saidin

The 10th International Conference on Communication and Media