Route of Love Cycling Event 2015

Group photo of the VIPs, organising committee members and the participants

Over 100 UTAR staff and students took part in the Route of Love (RoL) Cycling Event 2015 held at Sports Complex, UTAR Kampar Campus on 15 August 2015.

The cycling event was organised by the RoL 2015 Organising Committee comprised of UTAR students and supervised by the Department of Student Affairs (DSA). RoL 2015 was chiefly sponsored by OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad, who also donated a total of 52 bicycles and helmets to needy students.

Present at the event were UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Assoc Prof Dr Teh Chee Seng, OCBC Bank (Ipoh Branch) Regional Manager Chris Lu Koon Wing, OCBC Bank (Ipoh Branch) Premier Centre Manager Yvonne Tan Yee Wen, DSA Head Chiang Jeng Fong, Deputy Director for Student Affairs and Development of Centre for Foundation Studies (Kampar Campus) Lim Jit Theam and RoL 2015 Organising Chairperson Low Kelvin.

Thanking his fellow committee members for their diligent effort, Low said, “RoL 2015 aims to help financially challenged students. This is made possible with the generous sponsorship by OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad, allowing fellow UTARians to use the bicycles to commute on a daily basis.” The Foundation in Arts student also added that RoL 2015 raises awareness of being environmental friendly and promotes living a fit and healthy lifestyle amongst UTAR staff and students.

Low thanking his committee members

Echoing Low’s sentiments, Lu said, “We hope these bicycles will indeed come in handy for each of these 52 students and we also thank UTAR for inviting us to be a part of this noble effort.” Lu also introduced OCBC Bank’s active involvement in the advancement of cycling in Malaysia for the past five years such as collaborating with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall and also sponsoring the popular KL Car Free Morning.

Lu delivering his speech

This was followed by a flagging off ceremony which saw the participants traversing the 25 km-route covering UTAR Kampar Campus, Bandar Baru Kampar, the rustic Kampar old town and Kuala Dipang.

Flagging off ceremony

Dr Teh as one of the participants
Photo: Courtesy of Ou Lik Ee

Participants cycling along the 25-km route

“I’m really thankful to be one of the beneficiaries of this sponsorship. Owning a bicycle now will allow me to get to nearby places with ease,” remarked Foundation in Arts student Khoo Hau Ping, who also added that this also motivates him to be fit and healthy through regular cycling.

“With this new bicycle, I can finally cycle to the campus for my classes and rely less on my friends to fetch me around,” said final year Accounting student Low Yin San, who also expressed her gratitude for the windfall.

Curtains were drawn on RoL following the lucky draw and group photograph sessions.

Dr Teh presenting tokens of appreciation to Lu

Group photo of the VIPs and the 52 beneficiaries