And the road ahead: Professor Datuk Dr Ewe Hong Tat has always emphasized on the need for graduates to be grounded on good values; like diligence, perseverance, integrity, gratitude, compassion and respectful of people in order to navigate and thrive in an increasingly challenging world.
By Foong Pek Yee
foongpekyee@gmail.com
Aug 22, 2024
Tens of thousands of young people have walked past this door, and embarked on a journey to hit their next major milestone in life.
And last week, another 2,218 graduates from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman( (UTAR) followed suit at the university’s 39th convocation ceremony at Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik in UTAR campus in Kampar, Perak, Malaysia.
Good virtues: Dr Ewe got graduates to bow to their parents and loved ones in recognition of their love and support which culminated in this momentous event.
Congratulating the graduates, UTAR president Dr Ewe says they are among some 86,900 who graduated from UTAR since its first convocation in 2005, and they are a force to be reckoned with in bringing development and progress to the nation and beyond.
A non-profit university set up in 2001 and opened doors a year later, UTAR is aimed at providing quality and affordable education to all deserving students.
The reputable institution is known as “a university by the people for the people” as it is built on public donations from people from all walks of life.
A noble cause: Chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik (seated) is instrumental in securing a government approval to set up a private university in July 2001. He spearheaded the university’s development with the support of notable MCA leaders and personalities in the business and education sectors. On stage with him are (front row, from left), UTAR council chairman Tan Sri Dr Ting Chew Peh, guest of honour Lim Chai Hock who is PT Bayan Resources Tbk Indonesia’s chief operating officer and UTAR president Professor Datuk Dr Ewe Hong Tat.
In June 2002, UTAR opened its door to its first batch of 411 students at its temporary campus in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
Today , UTAR has nine faculties, three institutes and four centres operating in two campuses – Kampar and Bandar Sungai Long in Selangor, Malaysia.
And UTAR’s flagship, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman Hospital (UTAR Hospital) in Kampar that offers modern and traditional complementary medicine (T&CM) is fully operational.
Like UTAR,UTAR Hospital is built on public donations and it is a non-profit hospital to provide quality and affordable medical care to the people.
Dr Ewe pledges that UTAR will remain a” university by the people for the people” , noting that the university has given out internal financial help to thousands of students in need since its inception.
” RM202.4 mil internal scholarship and RM17.2mil internal interest free loan were given to 23,000 students.
“Apart from this, another 1,100 students also got external financial help; comprising RM 25.3 mil external scholarship and RM4.7mil external loan,” says Dr Ewe at the opening of the 39th convocation ceremony Session 1 at Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik in Kampar, Perak.
Dr Ewe notes that the amount of financial help stated above did not include the PTPTN (Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional) loan from the government.
Dr Ewe says UTAR graduates have an employability rate of between 95% and 97% within the first six months of convocation.
And Talentbank’s National Graduate Employability Index 2024 shows that Malaysian employers have ranked UTAR among the top three local universities.
Pride and joy: Graduate Lai Jen Weng with his family. From left; his mother Foong Pek Yan, father Lai Hock Yee and elder brother Lai Jen Hong.
While UTAR’s position in terms of rankings and awards have been very impressive locally and internationally , Dr Ewe says the university has also put in place training programs to nurture and equip its students to face an increasingly evolving and challenging world.
UTAR Awards
https://news.utar.edu.my/images/001-Landscapervcopy_1557903142.jpg?n=1557903169296set
UTAR 39th convocation: Session 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVWLV7QNtqI&t=5649s
Important landmark: Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik in UTAR campus in Kampar.
Picture perfect: Graduates, their families, loved ones and friends relaxing and posing for pictures outside the Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik.
Good training: UTAR students set up booths to sell food, drinks and souvenirs during the convocation ceremony.
Programs that focus on soft skills and community outreach are well-received by the UTAR graduates, he adds.
In tandem with increasing connectivity and globalization, Dr Ewe says UTAR has also put in place programs to nurture its students into global citizens.
To this end, UTAR has MoU (memorandum of understanding) with about 695 partners comprising local and foreign universities and economic and industrial organizations.
