Cultural Activities to Inculcate National Unity Values at UTAR

Kampar, Perak: Deputy Minister of Higher Education Dr. Hou Kok Chung "roused" a lion from a set of lion dance equipment to render it ready for cultural performances at an eye-dotting ceremony held at the Perak Campus of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) in Kampar during his courtesy visit to the campus on 11 January 2010.

On arrival, Yang Berhormat Dr. Hou was received by Ir. Prof. Dato' Dr Chuah Hean Teik, President of UTAR and University senior officials. He was given a rousing welcome by the University students and staff who lined up at the entrance.

The "Hoi Gong" or symbolic eye-dotting of lions and lion dances, very much a part of the Chinese culture and tradition for auspicious events, are among the numerous cultural activities lined up by the University to expose its students to a myriad of unique and colourful culture and heritage of the country.

Prof. Chuah said, "UTAR Cultural activities at the University are also organised by the various student clubs and societies such as Asian Cultural Society, Chinese Language Society, International Friendship Society and Japanese Culture Club."

He elaborated, "Through such activities, students learn to accept and celebrate their differences as the differences add colour, diversity and vibrancy to our country."

"It is the aspiration of the University to play a contributory role in grooming a society that is committed to national unity through the appreciation of peace and harmony within diversity in our multicultural and multiethnic nation," Prof. Chuah added.

In support of the University's objective, the Ministry of Higher Education has contributed RM7,000 to promote cultural awareness in the campus in line with 1Malaysia concept. The sponsored activities included the inaugural multilingual public speaking competition and the purchase of a set of lion dance equipment.

Following the eye-dotting ceremony, Dr Hou also took the opportunity to meet with parents and new students as his visit coincided with the orientation week at UTAR. The Perak Campus welcomed new students for January intake who enrolled in 27 Bachelor's degree and two Foundation programmes in its five faculties: namely, Faculty of Business and Finance, Faculty of Arts and Social Science, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology, and Faculty of Information and Communication Technology.

As part of the visit, Dr. Hou had a campus tour of the recently completed Phase 1B of the campus. The completion of Phase 1B provides an additional 31,569 square metres of space and five new buildings for use in addition to the existing five buildings in Phase 1A of the campus in Kampar. These new buildings include a five-storey library, an administration building, a teaching and learning complex, lecture halls and heavy engineering workshop. With this new extension, the campus can now accommodate approximately 15,000 students and provide them with the state-of-art research and teaching facilities.