UTAR Department of Student Affairs (DSA) of Kampar and Sungai Long Campuses, and UTAR Kampar Campus Registration, Campus Tour and Mass Call (RCM) Committee successfully organised a mass call at both Sungai Long and Kampar Campuses on 08 and 09 October 2019 respectively.

Held as part of the Orientation programme for October 2019 intake, the mass call was conducted for new students to meet the University President, the senior officials as well as the deans and deputy deans.

Attended by more than 800 new students from both campuses, the mass call was graced by UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat.

In his welcome speech at the mass call, Prof Ewe warmly welcomed all the freshmen and introduced UTAR as a place full of opportunities which will not only enrich their lives as undergraduates but also provide them with valuable life experiences. In conjunction with the mass call ceremony, Prof Ewe also delivered a talk titled “Your Academic Journey in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Era”.

In his talk, Prof Ewe introduced the freshers to the vision and mission of UTAR. He explained that UTAR, guided by its vision to be a global university of educational excellence, is highly reputed as one of the fastest-growing private higher education institutions in the country. Apart from vision and mission, Prof Ewe also urged 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.

Prof Ewe advised, “In University, balance is the key. Work smart from the beginning of the semester and do not procrastinate. University is a learning environment in which students must take responsibility for thinking and applying what they have learned. University life is exciting and entertaining yet university life is also demanding and stressful. In order to adapt to the transition, students must understand and recognise the different teaching styles, testing and grading.”

He further 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 a universal language. Try to communicate with your course mates, housemates and with your lecturers in English more often to get a better hold of the language and get ready for your future workplace where English would be mainly used.”

In addition to that, Prof Ewe also touched on 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 and also to become an all-rounder. Do take the opportunity to build networks 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.”

Furthermore, Prof Ewe’s speech also focused on the aspects of the technology revolution and its roles in education in the future. He said as we embarked on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, technology plays a central role in nearly all aspects of people’s lives. Therefore, in order to prepare the talent needed for the digital economy, education must adapt fast as the demand for digital skills is growing and evolving. Prof Ewe also emphasised on the importance of higher-order thinking skills, multiple intelligences and creativity among university students to further improve and equip themselves with the 21st-century skills.

Student Representative Council (SRC) Kampar Campus 2019/2020 Chairperson Lam Jeen Yee welcomed the new students and advised, “Great opportunities don’t come every day. Therefore, when the opportunity comes, recognise and seize them with every chance that you get. Do not be afraid to ask for help and make use of the natural opportunities that life at university offers you. Secondly, make friends as many as possible. Try to expand your social network and do not be shy to make new friends. Last but not least, do not underestimate the power of communication and social skills. Good communication skills and social skills can make studying easier, build your confidence and impact your future.”

On the other hand, SRC Sungai Long Campus 2019/2020 Chairperson Leo Cheong Zhe encouraged the new students to communicate with one another regardless of races and religions. He also advised the students, “Great things never come from the comfort zone. Push yourselves out of your comfort zone by joining clubs and societies because you will definitely be amazed by the others and yourself.” He urged the students to master the soft skills before joining the workforce so that they would not be eliminated by industries. “Under the era of Industrial Revolution 4.0, AI can definitely do things better than humans as it can work 24 hours a day without asking for any salary, but it might not be able to think out of the box and communicate well like you,” he said.

Also present at the mass call were UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, Dean of Faculty of Information and Communication Technology Assoc Prof Ts Dr Liew Soung Yue, Dean of Faculty of Arts and Social Science Dr Lee Lai Meng, Dean of Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min, Dean of Faculty of Accountancy and Management Dr Sia Bee Chuan, Centre for Stem Cell Research Chairperson-cum-Student Development and Industrial Training Deputy Dean Prof Dr Alan Ong Han Kiat, Deputy Dean of Faculty of Science Dr Sit Nam Weng, Deputy Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology Dr Tan Kok Tat, Deputy Dean of Faculty of Business and Finance Yew King Tak, Deputy Dean of Institute of Chinese Studies Dr Ling Liong Ngo, Director of Centre for Foundation Studies (Kampar Campus) Tan Lee Siew, Deputy Director of Centre for Foundation Studies of Sungai Long Campus Wong Jing Tyng, Faculty of Creative Industries Lecturer Wong Chen Vun, SRC Kampar Campus Chairperson Lam, SRC Sungai Long Campus Chairperson Leo, Kampar Campus Mass Call Manager Pang Fu Sheng and Sungai Long Campus Mass Call Manager Chan Li Xuan.