With 26,425 views on YouTube and a reach of 9,435 people on UTAR Facebook (as at 10 am, 19 August 2020), UTAR’s first e-convocation video is indeed drawing in attention to its contents.

The first e-Convocation of UTAR went live on YouTube at 11 am on 15 August 2020 and had close to 2,400 views on YouTube within the first hour; with many fellow graduates sending congratulatory messages to each other on YouTube Chat. Parents, staff, alumni and students joined in the online chat to send greetings to the graduates with lots of hearts emoji and encouraging remarks. It was truly a colorful celebration for the graduates.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have delayed the physical graduation ceremony for the graduates of 2020 but it did not dampen the joy of their graduation. Some graduates came to campus individually and took photos on campus in their graduation robes. Many of them had their families with them as well as they walked around campus taking photos at various locations. Throughout the duration, the standard operating procedures had to be followed to ensure the health and safety of everyone on campus, and these include the checking of temperature, wearing of face masks and social distancing.

This e-Convocation is the first UTAR graduation celebration held online for UTAR graduates and it celebrates the graduation of its March 2020 and August 2020 graduates whose physical convocation ceremony had to be postponed to a later date due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The physical convocation ceremony was supposed to be held from 13 to 15 March 2020 and 14 to 16 August 2020 at UTAR Kampar Campus but had to be postponed to a later date.

The total number of graduates for 2020 is 5,422 from 190 programmes, comprising 129 Bachelor (Honours) degree, 47 Master’s degree and 14 PhD programmes. These graduates can attend the next physical convocation ceremony to be held by UTAR. The dates for the next physical convocation will take into consideration the guidelines and instructions given by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Higher Education with regards to the situation on the COVID-19 pandemic that impacts on the safety and health of its staff and students on campus.

UTAR congratulates all the graduates and expresses its gratitude to all the University management, University and industry partners, graduates, alumni, parents, staff and students for the support and participation to make this e-convocation a successful reality for the graduates.

This e-convocation video is UTAR’s own production with the organizing team consisting of UTAR’s Software Development and Multimedia Services Centre, Division of Corporate Communication and Public Relations, Department of Alumni Relations and Placement, Registrar and the Department of Student Affairs, under the leadership of the University President.

The highlights of the e-Convocation ceremony are presented below in summary:

The ceremony began with a special welcome performance by the UTAR Kampar Campus 24 Festive Drums. Due to the pandemic, the students could not practice nor perform together and they could not use the festive drums located in the campus. So, they practiced individually from their own homes, using whatever items they could find that could replicate the sound of drums - tables, chairs, the floor, etc. It was a difficult task to have harmony and synchrony among all the members who were located at different places of stay. However, they managed to pull it off with much harmony. It was an amazing feat and the final performance was brilliant, drawing much praise from viewers.

Addressing the e-Convocation, UTAR Chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, said, “On behalf of all at the University, I extend my best wishes and warmest congratulations to all the graduates. A whole new world of experience is waiting for you, new opportunities as well as new challenges. I am confident that you have the potential to lead and to achieve. You are the leaders of tomorrow. You have transitioned from students to graduates, and I hope you will excel even more from now on.
Thank you for making UTAR great, you can be greater out there. All the very best.”

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Chairman of Board of Trustees of UTAR Education Foundation Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Sak Cheng Lum, enthused, “I would like to extend my congratulations to all graduates and their parents. Your graduation signifies the new beginning for all of you. After graduating, you will be venturing forthwith to another chapter of your life and we, in UTAR, are confident that with whatever you have learned and acquired in the past few years at UTAR, it will place you in a good stead in achieving greater heights in whatever you choose to go into, be it further studies, challenging occasions or ventures or even a new social life. UTAR will always try to give our youths an affordable quality education. All we ask of you is that when you succeed in your future endeavours, please give a thought from time to time to your alma mater, and contribute back to UTAR so that together we can grow UTAR into a truly world-class university. Stay safe, be always grateful to your parents and all the very best to all of you.”

Adding to that, UTAR Council Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Ting Chew Peh said, “You are now a graduate. Congratulations! You have progressed forward to choose your own life and career. Whatever you decide to do, remember that success is about having diligence and perseverance to stay focused on the goals in life. You must also be sharply aware of the changes in the world around you. With changes, there are new opportunities. Remain open to new opportunities if you want to succeed. I wish for nothing, but the best for all our graduates. I am proud to congratulate all of you on your graduation. Now you can go out and show the world your capabilities for even greater accomplishments. On behalf of all the UTAR Council members, I send you my best wishes for a fulfilling career and a healthy life. Congratulations once again.”

Sharing the joy of the e-Convocation celebration, UTAR's immediate past president-cum-UTAR Council Member Ir Academician Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik congratulated the graduates of UTAR March 2020 and August 2020 batches. He said, “This is the fruit of your hard work and determination and your family members must be very proud of you. I am sure you have made tremendous progress whether in terms of technical knowledge or personal development during your stay with UTAR. Continue to improve yourselves as learning never stops. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lifestyles. We have learnt to appreciate what we have, we have learnt to appreciate people around us and we have also learnt to adapt to changes and new norms. My best wishes to your future endeavours and do come back to share with us your experience and success stories.”

In his speech to the graduates, UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat sent his congratulations to the   Class of 2020 and said, “This e-convocation commemorates the graduation of more than 5,400 graduates from the March 2020 and the August 2020 convocation batches. We are proud to celebrate this day with you, your family and friends. I hope your education at UTAR has been a rewarding experience that you can share with your family and friends back home.

I would also like to express my congratulations to all parents of our graduates. I am sure you are as proud as us on this occasion. Graduates, do thank your parents and family members who have supported and encouraged you throughout your studies.

Your convocation is an important occasion and we hope to make this day meaningful for you through this e-convocation event with greetings and activities from various people who have played a part in your university education.  Some of them are close to your heart, especially your lecturers and friends who have been looking forward to this day.

Your responsibilities as a student are now over. It is time for you to take ownership of your own career and fulfil your goals and dreams. Do take this graduation as a stepping stone to greater accomplishments. Remember to take pride in your achievements and continue with the tradition of aiming for excellence. Inculcate and practise good moral values and contribute to the community so that you may enjoy the peace and harmony that accompany your contributions.

We welcome you to join our UTAR alumni of more than 67,000 graduates and continue to be part of the UTAR community so that together we can move the university to even greater heights.

Just as you have done well in the university, I believe you will do equally well in the future. Do keep focused on your goals to achieve your aspirations and remember to think of others and contribute to the community. I wish you all the best”.

Following this, UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Student Development Ir Prof Dr Yow Ho Kwang, UTAR Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation Prof Ts Dr Faidz bin Abd Rahman and UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong congratulated the graduates.

Subsequently, the Deans of all faculties and institutes congratulated and conveyed their best wishes to the graduates.

The graduates were also congratulated by University and Industry Partners of UTAR; namely, Beijing Jiaotong University, City University of Hong Kong, National Cheng Kung University, Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule (OTH) Regensburg, Aoyama Gakuin University, Vitrox Corporation Berhad, JobStreet.com, Infineon Technologies Kulim Sdn Bhd, Huawei Technologies Malaysia and Yayasan KRU.

The e-Convocation celebration also featured a host of online activities and congratulatory messages by all nine faculties and two institutes, namely Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS), Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF), Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT), Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FICT), Faculty of Science (FSc), Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI), Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES), Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) and Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research (IPSR).

The e-Convocation included an e-concert with participation by UTAR alumni, students and graduates. A total of 24 performances lined up the concert which included singing, dancing, and special performances from diablo, lion dance and Wushu. These individual performances were recorded from their own home, with many using their own smartphones and sending the video file to us for the concert. UTAR is indeed impressed with the multi talents of these performers and thanks them for their dedication to the graduates during this e-Convocation.

In addition to this e-Convocation, all UTAR graduates of 2020 can participate in the next physical convocation ceremony that will be held by the university at a later date. The university will monitor the situation on the COVID-19 pandemic and follow instructions and guidelines given by the government before deciding on the next physical convocation ceremony.

The e-Convocation video can be viewed from the link below: https://youtu.be/jJqrChMwIeY

Adding more cheer to the e-convocation was the special guest appearance by international singer and songwriter Gary Chaw. He congratulated UTAR graduates of the Class of 2020 and motivated them to achieve greater success in their future undertakings.

The ceremony also saw the delivery of congratulatory messages and speeches by UTAR alumni, students and selected representatives of the graduates.

The full performance of the UTAR e-concert can be viewed from the graduate site via convo.utar.edu.my. Some of the e-concert performers are as follows: