Going the extra mile for charity

First row seated from left: Wong, Hew, Tan Sri Hew, Toh Puan Ena Ling, Tun Ling, Prof Chuah, Datuk Lee, Prof Choong, and Kong with the participants after the run

Over 600 participants from every segment of the society participated in the “Charity Run for UTAR Hospital Project” event held at the Sports Complex of UTAR Kampar Campus on 2 March 2019.

Officially launched on 24 January this year, the charity run for the upcoming hospital was spearheaded and organised by a group of students with the support of the Department of Student Affairs (DSA) Kampar Campus. Its main objective was to raise funds for the UTAR Hospital Project, which is estimated to cost RM330million.  

Warming up session led by DSA Kampar Campus Sports & Recreation Unit staff Steven Ngan Mun Fong 

The participants warming up before the run

Flagging off the 9km run were UTAR Chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik, UTAR Council Members Datuk Lee Leck Cheng and Hew Fen Yee, and UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong. Also present were Toh Puan Ena Ling and organising chairperson Wong Hock Nian. 

From left: Wong, Prof Choong, Prof Chuah, Tun Ling, Hew, and Datuk Lee getting ready for the flagging off ceremony 

Tun Ling greeting the crowd

Flagging off ceremony led by Tun Ling (third from right), Prof Chuah, Datuk Lee, Hew, and Prof Choong while Wong (left) look on

Participants hitting the road after the flagging off ceremony 

Foundation student Yeow Ni Jia was the first participant to reach the finish line

Participants approaching the finish line after the 9km run 

A participant and the charity run helpers giving their thumbs up at the finish line 

Besides joining the two-hour run, participants also had the opportunity trying their hands at exhilarating side activities such as zorbing, the kin-ball games and the Army Eliminator inflatable challenge, as well as enjoying free health screening by the Kampar District Health Office (Pejabat Kesihatan Daerah Kampar). 

Participants having a whale of a time at the Army Eliminator inflatable challenge after the run

Participants zorbing around the UTAR Sports Complex’s field

Ending the charity run was a simple closing ceremony which also saw the presence of UTAR Planning and Development Committee Advisor Tan Sri Hew See Tong, DSA Kampar Campus Head Chiang Jeng Fong, main sponsor Kevin Kong Chee Kin and spouse Vivian Ng, and event advisor Yau Ai Ping.

On behalf of the organising committee, Wong said that he was rejoiced that their little effort has drawn the interests and support of different people. “I’m delighted to see the passion that all of you have shown for running and most importantly, for the UTAR Hospital Project. Besides applauding your generosity, I'm sure that many out there will be inspired by you to live a more physically active lifestyle,” the Business Administration student mentioned. He also added that in an effort to ensure the success and smoothness of the run, the various planning and preparation works had already begun since July 2018. “Thank you to all for the support in making this event not only a reality but also a success,” Wong concluded. 

Wong explaining that besides raising funds for this mammoth project, the charity run also acts as a platform to educate people on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle

Thanking the many on-going efforts of various parties in contributing to the UTAR Hospital Project, Prof Chuah mentioned that UTAR is a university by the people, for the people, as it had benefitted and grown following the sincere contribution and support of the community, the federal government as well as the Malaysian Chinese Association for the past 17 years. “In 2014, the University Council decided that UTAR should embark on another important project which is the UTAR Hospital Project. This hospital will be another self-sustaining not-for-profit organisation which provides affordable medical services and contributes to the wellbeing of Malaysians irrespective of race, religions, beliefs, and so on,” he explained. The University President also said that despite being young, UTAR is on the right trajectory as evidenced by the ranking achievements such as being ranked Top 600 in World University Rankings 2019, Top 120 in Asia-Pacific University Rankings 2019, and Top 100 in Asia University Rankings 2018 by the Times Higher Education. “UTAR will certainly continue to grow with the support of the students, staff, and general public. We hope that one day, UTAR will not only be known as an academic institution, but also an institution where affordable and not-for-profit medical services are given to all Malaysians,” he reassured. 

Prof Chuah informing the audience that the upcoming UTAR Hospital will be an extension of UTAR’s community-serving initiative

To further give colour to the ceremony, a string of performances by a school as well as UTAR clubs and societies were also available. They included the ebullient cheerleading performance by SMJK Ave Maria Convent’s Titan team; the intrepid martial arts performance by UTAR Taekwondo Club; the breezy acoustic singing by UTAR Music Club’s “Broken Artistes”; and the nimble diabolo performance by the UTAR Sungai Long Chinese Studies Society Diabolo Unit. 

The Titan cheerleading team from Ipoh’s SMJK Ave Maria Convent bringing the house down with various stunts such as the building pyramids and others

The UTAR Taekwondo Club members displaying their self-defense skills and techniques 

The “Broken Artistes” serenading the crowd with several gentle acoustic ballads 

The diabolo performance winning the crowd’s cheers 

The charity run officially closes its door following a lucky draw for the Grand Prize winner. 

Prof Chuah (left) presenting the lucky draw’s Grand Prize to the lucky winner while emcee Hentara Pang (right) look on

Located within the award-winning Kampar Campus, the UTAR Hospital is set to be a not-for-profit hospital offering services in Western Medicine as well as Traditional and Complementary Medicine including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurvedic Medicine.  The hospital will eventually house 500 beds for Western Medicine and 100 beds for the Traditional and Complementary Medicine, further benefitting communities of the Kinta Valley as well as the country with its affordable services. Its first phase is scheduled to be completed by December 2021 and be fully operational in 2022 in conjunction with UTAR’s 20^th Anniversary.

Donations to the construction of the UTAR Hospital are welcomed and further information can be referred here.

The “Charity Run for UTAR Hospital Project” event is supported by the Kampar District Health Office and mainly sponsored by VIQ Apparel Sdn Bhd. 

Prof Chuah presenting a certificate of appreciation to Kong while Ng (right) and Wong (left) look on

Jubilant participants feeling accomplished after the run 

Participants proudly displaying their certificates and medals to signify the successful completion of the 9km run

Group photo of the organising committee

 Group photo of the organising committee and helpers 
 

Photo courtesy of Kelvin Too, Zk Lee, and Ming Han.