Fourth UTAR-NUS New Village Collaborative Project

UTAR’s Department of Soft Skills Competency (DSSC) in collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS) organised the fourth New Village Collaborative Project for a total of eight NUS students. The New Village Collaborative Project ended with a closing ceremony at UTAR Kampar Campus on 23 December 2015.

This year, the New Village Collaboration Project was conducted in three selected new villages in Kelantan and Pahang, namely, Gua Musang, Kampung Pulai, and Kampung Raja, from 15 to 23 December 2015.

The week-long project served as a platform for the keen participants of the two institutions to study and research on certain components such as demography, economic development, social structure, historical development, community assets, and cultural values of new villages in Malaysia.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, NUS Prof Albert Teo Chu Ying said, “I would like to thank UTAR for collaborating with NUS and also the New Villages for the fourth time since 2012. It was a valuable and meaningful experience for our students to learn the various aspects of new villages in Malaysia.” He added, “I very much look forward to continuing our successful collaboration with UTAR and I’m also hoping that UTAR and NUS will be able to look into other potential new villages.”

Prof Albert Teo thanking UTAR at the closing ceremony 

UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Assoc Prof Dr Teh Chee Seng thanked the participants for their curiosity in learning the history and community assets of new villages in Malaysia. He added, “I believed that the one-week long project has enabled the participants from the NUS to forge new friendships and human networks with their new friends in Malaysia.”

Dr Teh delivering his address

Also present at the closing ceremony were Head of DSSC Hee Chwen Yee, Assistant General Manager of DSSC Lok Bee Lan, Faculty of Business and Finance lecturer Kuek Thiam Yong, UTAR staff, and students.

One of the participants from NUS, Tok Kheng Leng said, “It was a valuable and eye-opening experience at Gua Musang. There were so many things to see and learn from the villagers and UTAR staff. It was interesting to learn that the villagers of Gua Musang depended on rubber tapping for their livelihood as this agricultural industry does not exist in Singapore. I had also gained valuable friendships with people on the trip. I would like to thank UTAR for organising such a valuable programme.”

The closing ceremony ended with Dr Teh presenting a souvenir to Prof Albert Teo and certificate of participation to the NUS students. A group photo taking session was held after the presentation ceremony. 

Dr Teh presenting a certificate to one of the participants

UTAR staff with the NUS students