As part of the Orientation programme for October 2018 intake, UTAR Department of Student Affairs (DSA) and UTAR Kampar Campus Registration, Campus Tour and Mass Call (RCM) Committee successfully organised a mass call at both Sungai Long and Kampar Campus on 9 and 10 October 2018 respectively. The mass call was conducted for new students to meet the University President, the senior officials as well as the deans and deputy deans.
Prof Chuah welcoming the freshmen
Graced by UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik, the mass call was attended by more than 1,200 students from both campuses.
New students during the mass call in Kampar Campus
New students taking an oath during the mass call in Sungai Long Campus
Delivering his welcome speech at the mass call, Prof Chuah warmly welcomed all the freshmen and introduced UTAR as a place full of opportunities with wide range of programmes which will not only enrich their lives as undergraduates, but also provide them with valuable life experiences.
Prof Chuah advised the new students to acquire and master the English language as well as to be determined and be focused on obtaining the degree. He enthused, “English is an international language and is dominant in the field of business, social science, science, engineering and medicine. Therefore, try to communicate with your course mates, housemates and with your lecturers in English more often in order to get ready for your future workplace where English would be mainly used.”
In addition to that, Prof Chuah also emphasised the importance of human networking and extracurricular activities. He said, “Besides performing academically, students should participate in extracurricular activities organised by student clubs and societies in order to lead a balanced academic life. Do take the opportunity to build network with your seniors, lecturers and students from other faculties. Hard work, determination, full concentration and self-discipline are the key secrets to earn a successful university experience.”
He further advised, “Education is a very important part of life. Leaving secondary school and entering tertiary study is a big adjustment for many students. You must be aware of the differences and it is important for you to be independent and make yourself to adapt to the system quickly. In University, balance is the key. Work smart from the beginning of the semester. University is a learning environment in which students must take responsibility for thinking and applying what you have learned. School students are informed that university life is exciting and entertaining; students are also informed that university life is demanding and stressful. In order to adapt to the transition, students must understand and recognise the different teaching styles, testing and grading.” He added, “Aiming high is always a good start. Aim high, work hard and achieve your goals. Goals can only be reached through a proper plan, in which you must passionately believe, and upon which you must enthusiastically act.”
Prof Chuah also reminded the new students to embrace the six UTAR philosophical values of Virtue and Morality, Knowledge and Intellect, Physical and Mental Health, Sociality and Humanitarianism, Aesthetics and Harmony, and Creativity and Innovation. He advised the new students to be ethical, professional, sociable, active in building their human network, creative, be involved in sports and innovative in order to gain a complete university experience. He also emphasised, “The fairest thing in this world is everyone has the same 24 hours a day, not a second more or less. You must manage your time properly.” He also encouraged the students to gain global exposures by joining University programmes such as study tour, cultural exchange and credit-transfer programme.
Loh advising the freshmen in Kampar to adapt to changes
Meanwhile, Student Representative Council (SRC) Kampar Campus 2018/2019 Chairperson Loh Jia Hui congratulated the new students and advised, “Studying in university is not as easy as you think, yet university is a place where it will give you a lot of memories to cherish for the rest of your life. There are three important things that I would like to share with you all today. Firstly, manage your time wisely. Work hard and study smart and do not do last minute work. Always make a proper planning and set your priorities. Secondly, make friends as many as possible. Try to expand your social network and don’t be shy to make friends. And last but not least, make changes and get yourself out of your comfort zone. Be active and join in more extracurricular and sports activities organised by students’ club and societies. Please bear in mind, good time management and good friends would definitely give you an enjoyable university life. Good luck and all the best.”
SRC Sungai Long Campus 2018/2019 Chairperson Ng Jia Wei advised the new students, saying, “Life is like a book; we all went through different chapters in our life. This chapter onwards, you are going to take care of yourself, not your parents. But bear in mind what Prof Chuah said ‘great freedom comes with great responsibility’, everyone has the same amount of time; how you are going to spend your time will determine your future— whether it is a success or failure. This is the moment where we will learn how to use our time efficiently, independently and be more responsible in our life. Everyone can be the director of their life, create their own stories, but whatever decision you make, you will have to bear the responsibility.” He also wished everyone success in UTAR before ending his speech.
From left: Dr Ooi, Dr Ling, Dr Alia, Dr Lim, Chong Hau, Prof Chuah, Loh, Dr Yap, Lee Siew and Sin Howe
Also present at the mass call were Dean of Faculty of Science Dr Lim Tuck Meng, Dean of Faculty of Arts and Social Science Dr Alia Azalea, Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes of Faculty of Business and Finance Peter Tan Sin Howe, Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes of Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) Dr Hen Kai Wah representing FAM Dean Dr Sia Bee Chuan, Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training of FAM Assoc Prof David Ng Ching Yat, Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes of Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science Ts Dr Yap Wun She, Dean of Faculty of Creative Industries Dr David Tneh Cheng Eng, Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology Assoc Prof Dr Yap Vooi Voon, Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training of Institute of Chinese Studies Dr Ling Liong Ngo, Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes of Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Prof Dr Yap Sook Fan, Head of Computer Science Department of Faculty of Information and Communication Technology Ts Dr Ooi Boon Yaik, Director of Centre for Foundation Studies (Kampar Campus) Tan Lee Siew and Deputy Director for Academic of Centre for Foundation Studies (Sungai Long Campus) Wong Jing Tyng, Mass Call Manager (Kampar Campus) Tan Chong Hau and Mass Call Manager (Sungai Long Campus) Tan Vi Nie.
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