China Embassy provides scholarships

Front row, seated from left: Toh Puan Ena Ling, Tun Ling, Chen Chen, Prof Chuah  and Prof Choong with the scholarship recipients

UTAR Chinese Orchestra performing during the opening ceremony

UTAR Student Scholarship Presentation Ceremony was held on 2 November 2018 at Sungai Long Campus. A total of 30 UTAR students received scholarships from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China. It was presented by the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia, Chen Chen.

Present at the ceremony were UTAR Chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and his spouse Toh Puan Ena Ling, UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik, UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, Attache Qiu Zili, Attache Wang Shuang, scholarship recipients, UTAR staff and students.

Prof Chuah expressing his gratitude to His Excellency Bai Tian and the Embassy

Prof Chuah thanked the Embassy of China for providing the scholarship worth RM120,000 to 30 UTAR students. He also expressed his heartiest gratitude to His Excellency Bai Tian and the Embassy for the contribution of an additional RM60,000 for the research project titled “Public Perception on Socio-economic, Cultural and Educational Implication”,  which was supervised by Institute of Management and Leadership Development Director-cum-Belt and Road Strategic Research Centre Chairperson Prof Dr Cheng Ming Yu.

“This would be the third time for the Embassy to provide financial assistance to UTAR students. The first financial aid was to our students in 2016 where 20 Malay students received RM3,000 each. The second time was done in July 2018, where RM72,000 was disbursed by the Embassy with each deserving UTAR student receiving RM3,000,” said Prof Chuah.

Prof Chuah advised the students not only to focus on academic performance but to also develop their networking skills as it is crucial, “Degree will get you a bronze medal, experience will bring you a silver medal, but networking will bring you a gold medal.”

Chen delivering his speech

Chen was warmly welcomed by the Lion Dance performance and the Chinese Orchestra performance to which he expressed his amazement. He was also impressed by Malaysia’s diversity that showcased different religions, traditions and cultures. Malaysia’s open-mindedness, according to him, has been the stepping stone in promoting the country’s economic development and prosperity. He continued, “This scholarship has been established for three years and has benefitted 74 students in total. We are looking forward to seeing all 30 scholarship recipients, consisting of Malays, Chinese, Indians, as well as Bumiputras from east Malaysia, becoming the pillars of the nation in the future, working towards a better nation and contributing to the friendly cooperation between China and Malaysia. We are looking forward to joining hands with UTAR to carry on this cooperation project to benefit more students in the future.”

Performance by 24 Festives Drums

Prof Chuah (right) presenting a token of appreciation to Chen as Prof Choong (left) looks on

The representative of scholarship recipient Lim Chee Hui (second from left) presenting a token of appreciation to Chen while Prof Chuah (far right) and Prof Choong (far left) look on