MoU with Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad

From left: Prof Cheng, Sin Howe, Prof Choong, Prof Chuah, Loke, Xinyi, Wai Hoo and Yew

UTAR and Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad (TCMH) established official partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 8 June 2016 at UTAR Kampar Campus.

Signing on behalf of UTAR were UTAR President, Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik and Dean of Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF) Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong; while signatories from TCMH were Deputy General Manager of Human Resources, Loke Kean Mun and Associate of Human Resources, Lim Xinyi.

Also present at the signing ceremony were TCMH Associate of Human Resources Tan Wai Hoo, FBF Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes Peter Tan Sin Howe, FBF Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Yew King Tak, FBF Head of Department of Finance Lim Chong Heng, and Director of UTAR Division of Community and International Networking Prof Dr Cheng Ming Yu.

Aimed primarily at boosting student employability as well as enriching the industry workforce, the MoU will allow both UTAR and TCMH to pursue a holistic approach in connecting with UTAR students via various activities, as well as assisting them to explore career paths, identify and apply for career opportunities with TCMH. This will be carried out through a range of activities including guest lectures, networking sessions, mock interview sessions and others.

Citing one of UTAR’s hallmark achievements whereby 97% of graduates are gainfully employed within six months upon completion of studies, Prof Chuah ascribed the feat to the University’s unremitting efforts in strategic partnerships as well as the industry partners’ confidence in UTAR’s educational excellence. “One important element in educating our students is to provide them industrial exposure not only in the form of industrial training but also others. Exposing our students to the industry allows them to build human network as well as gain knowledge and skills which are unobtainable from lectures and tutorials alone, thus giving them an extra edge when seeking employment,” commented Prof Chuah, who also welcomed TCMH to join hands with UTAR in areas such as R&D as well as leadership and management trainings.

Besides echoing Prof Chuah’s sentiments on the importance of grooming industry-ready students, Loke also complimented UTAR and the FBF management staff on their commitment in nurturing talents for nation building. He further elucidated that while academic qualifications act as gateway to better employment opportunities, the industry experiences will be strategic thrusts to one’s career advancement. “As TCMH expands locally and internationally, we are also in need of great people with great talents and attitude. I’m delighted to see TCMH and UTAR share common values and principles in people development which will further strengthen our ties to collaborate in developing and attracting talents,” he said, and pledged that TCMH and UTAR will work hand in hand in enhancing the industry experience of students, allowing them to be marketable in the future and ultimately, contribute to the society, nation and the ASEAN region.

Prof Chuah (left) and Loke (right) expressing their delight to work together

The event reached its highlight with the signatories being invited to sign the MoU documents, followed by a souvenir presentation session.

Prof Chuah (second from left) and Loke (second from right) shaking hands after the signing of MoU documents, while Prof Choong (left) and Xinyi (right) look on

Prof Chuah (middle) presenting tokens of appreciation to Loke (right) while Prof Choong looks on

The TCMH delegates also delivered a career talk to FBF students as well as promoted their two-year Management Associate Program, a catalyst program designed to advance high-achieving graduates into managerial positions within TCMH’s business functions which include Sales, Accounting and Finance, Information Technology and Human Resources.

Loke (right) delivering the talk

FBF was first visited by TCMH delegates in July 2015 for a recruitment drive, which then saw 16 students in the fields of Finance and Accounting being successfully recruited.

With the signing of this MoU, TCMH is another addition to UTAR’s list of robust industry partners who have been instrumental in cementing UTAR’s position as a global university of educational excellence with transformative societal impact.