In line with the mission to provide quality education under the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, UTAR Indian Cultural and Language Society (ICLS) of Kampar Campus in collaboration with several NGOs, namely Inner Wheel Club of Ipoh, Klinik Mediviron Setia Gemilang, and Klinik Mediviron Kemuning Utama contributed a series of exercise and reference books worth RM15,000 to a total of 19 Tamil schools in Perak.

The first phase of the programme saw 155 school students from 10 schools in South Kinta and Batang Padang districts receiving the books, which were sponsored by the Inner Wheel Club of Ipoh. The books were handed over to the schoolchildren on 5 February 2020 during a special event held at SJK (T) Kampar by Inner Wheel Club Chairman Catherine Thinagaran.

The second phase saw 115 students from nine schools in Muallim and Batang Padang districts receiving the books from philanthropist Dr Sivamuralitharan Muniandy during a ceremony on 13 March 2020 at SJK (T) Trolak.

Both ceremonies were held with the presence of UTAR ICLS Advisor-cum-UTAR Centre for Foundation Studies lecturer Gangadurai Ganesan, UTAR ICLS former Chairperson Sebastian S.U. Winston and present Chairperson Vithya Nareandran.

Among the schools involved were SJK (T) Kampar, SJK (T) Gopeng, SJK (T) Malim Nawar, SJK (T) Ladang Kampar, SJK (T) Mambang Diawan, SJK (T) Tronoh, SJK (T) Kinta Valley, SJK (T) Kota Bahroe, SJK (T) Changkat and SJK (T) Bharathi, SJK (T) Sungkai, SJK (T) Slim River, SJK (T) Trolak, SJK (T) Slim Village, SJK (T) Ladang Cluny, SJK (T) Ladang Kelapa Bali, SJK (T) Ladang Behrang River, SJK (T) Tan Sri Dato' Manickavasagam, SJK (T) Ladang Katoyang.

Former ICLS Chairperson, also Year Three Construction Management student Sebastian enthused, “This book donation drive was the expected outcome of ICLS’s annual mega event, titled “Dhiiraati Nakshatra Nite” which was aimed to raise funds for Tamil schools. Unfortunately, the event had to be called off due to insufficient amount of funding to support the show requirements. However, the amount collected for the event was then refunded to sponsors and ticket purchasers (all who requested for a refund). The remaining amount of money that was given as donation was then transmitted into this effort alongside with the contribution from our main sponsor ‘Inner Wheel Club of Ipoh’.” He added, “Although we could not run the event as planned earlier, the organising committees are very glad to be able to channel the donations to needy school students.”

Gangadurai said, “This is truly a commendable community engagement and outreach effort by ICLS students. We believe education is the pillar of success for each individual, therefore, we hope these book donations will help the young students to learn the right answering techniques and strategies before they sit for the examination. The exercise and reference books also would help the young schoolchildren to excel in their examination.” He added, “Well done to ICLS students who believe in equal opportunity and quality education for all. I hope this noble giving-back-to-the-community act could be continued by UTAR students.” He also thanked the various NGOs who had supported UTAR ICLS students to conduct the book donation drive successfully.