UTAR First President honoured with Tan Kah Kee Award

UTAR extends its heartfelt congratulations to its first President, Tan Sri Datuk Dr Ng Lay Swee, on being conferred the 10th Tan Kah Kee Award (陈嘉庚精神奖) at the Night of Tan Kah Kee 2025 dinner and award ceremony, held on 11 October 2025 at the Persatuan Huian Quangang Klang, Klang.

The Tan Kah Kee Award, established by the Malaysia Tan Kah Kee Foundation, honours outstanding individuals or organisations who embody the educational philosophy and humanitarian spirit of the late philanthropist Tan Kah Kee, renowned for his belief in “sacrificing for education and serving society selflessly.”

Tan Sri Ng, who led Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC) and later became the founding President of UTAR, was recognised for her visionary leadership and lifelong dedication to providing affordable, high-quality education to Malaysians from all walks of life.

Under her stewardship, TARC expanded rapidly and established strong academic collaborations with British and American universities, while UTAR grew from its humble beginnings into a reputable private university known for its academic excellence and social mission. Her leadership was instrumental in shaping both institutions into models of accessible education that continue to benefit generations of students.

In her acceptance speech, Tan Sri Ng expressed deep gratitude to the Tan Kah Kee Foundation, her colleagues, and the UTAR and TARC communities for their unwavering support. She remarked, “Education has never been the effort of one person, but a shared responsibility of the whole society.” Reflecting on her journey, she said she was “fortunate to be born in the right time to witness and participate in the founding of Tunku Abdul Rahman College and UTAR, and to lead both institutions toward steady growth and excellence.” 

Another recipient of this year’s Tan Kah Kee Award was Prof Chen Yiming, a nonagenarian scholar renowned for her lifelong dedication to the “spiritual archaeology” of the overseas Chinese community and the legacy of Tan Kah Kee. Often hailed as the inheritor and cultivator of the Tan Kah Kee heritage, Prof Chen has devoted her life to uncovering and promoting the stories and spirit of overseas Chinese who contributed to education and nation-building.

Together, Tan Sri Ng and Prof Chen exemplify the enduring power of education and service to humanity — the very essence of the Tan Kah Kee spirit that continues to inspire educators and leaders across generations.

UTAR takes great pride in celebrating Tan Sri Ng’s remarkable achievement, which also reflects the University’s enduring commitment to educational excellence, integrity, and service to society.