UTAR held a physical convocation for the graduates of March 2021 at Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik of UTAR Kampar Campus on 19 and 20 February 2022. A total of 1,472 graduates attended the convocation ceremony which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to this physical convocation, an e-convocation ceremony was held for the graduates in March 2021 to celebrate their graduation.

A total of 1,472 graduates from 79 programmes comprising 62 Bachelor (Honours) degrees, 14 Master’s degrees and three PhD degrees, attended the convocation in 8 one-hour sessions held over the two-day period.

Session One and Two of the Convocation were declared open by UTAR Council Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Ting Chew Peh; Session Three until Six were declared open by UTAR Council Member and UTAR Hospital Board Chairman Ir Academician Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik; and Session Seven and Eight were declared open by UTAR Council Member Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan. Also present at the ceremony were UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat and UTAR Council Member Mr Hew Fen Yee.

The scroll presenters for Session One were Tan Sri Ting and Tan Sri Chuah; Session Two and Three were Tan Sri Chuah and Mr Hew; Session Four were Mr Hew and Prof Ewe; Session Five and Six were Tan Sri Chuah and Mr Hew; Session Seven were Dato’ Seri Ong and Mr Hew; and Session Eight was Dato’ Seri Ong.

Speaking at the convocation ceremony, UTAR President Prof Ewe congratulated the graduates and said that, “UTAR has received the generous support and contributions from donors, stakeholders, organisations, alumni, the public, staff and students who have enabled the university to progress fast. In return for the support and contribution of so many people, UTAR also believes in giving back to the community through its scholarships and loans to students in need of financial assistance. UTAR also gives back to the community through its many voluntary, charity and community programmes such as the New Village Community Project and the We Care We Act programme. UTAR has also participated in the Pusat Pemberian Vaksin (PPV) programme to provide Covid-19 vaccinations to the community in the Kampar Campus Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and the Sungai Long Campus Multi-purpose hall to support the nation’s initiative to vaccinate the community as fast as possible.”

He concluded, “I would like to thank our Chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, the Board of Trustees of UTAR Education Foundation, UTAR Council members, the International Advisory Council, the Government of Malaysia, the Ministry of Higher Education, the Malaysian Qualifications Agency, Ministries and Embassies, MCA, our local and international partners, the media community, industry players and advisors, professional bodies, external examiners, parents, UTAR staff, students, our alumni and the public community. Thank you all for your support.”

Following the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the pandemic, all graduates attending the convocation ceremony had to do the RTK-Antigen Test and fill in a health declaration form to be submitted before attending the physical ceremony on campus. All University staff on duty for the convocation as well as all guests of graduates were also required to do the RTK-Antigen Test before attending the convocation.

All persons entering the campus were required to scan the MySejahtera app and temperature scans were done on everyone at the entry point of the convocation. SOPs were strictly observed throughout the ceremony including the wearing of face mask, sanitising and physical distancing.  The convocation hall was sanitized after each convocation session with particular attention to the chairs and the toilets.

What our graduates say

Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) graduate Nur Sashabila, said, “I would like to convey my utmost appreciation to my supervisors for their patience and endless support as well as enthusiastic guidance throughout my PhD journey at UTAR. It was a pleasure having to work under their supervision. A special thanks and gratitude to my husband, family and friends for their love, understanding and enormous support throughout my PhD journey. Thank you UTAR for making this ceremony possible for us and for enabling us to experience this graduation day. It is nostalgic to come back to campus and reminisce about my research life at the university.”

Faculty of Accountancy and Management Master of Business Administration graduate Su Wan Ruh, expressed, “I believe that there is something about key moments in life that deserve ritual and ceremony. Graduation is one of those. It is wonderful to be able to attend the graduation in person with my family. This is truly a celebration. It gives me a physical sense of completion. Thank you UTAR for providing me with the chance to participate in the physical convocation safely. My heartfelt thanks to my family, lovely friends, and colleagues who have supported me throughout the years.”

Faculty of Science Bachelor of Science (Honours) Food Science graduate N. Meera Sree, said, “As a UTAR graduate, I am proud of my university’s education quality and its continuous achievements. Thank you UTAR for giving me the opportunity to study at an affordable fee with quality education. Also a bunch of thanks to my lecturers and tutors who have guided me throughout my undergraduate journey at UTAR. I have gained a lot of knowledge from them and this knowledge will be very helpful for me in the future. I also feel very happy and emotional because I have finally achieved what I have always wanted. I wanted to make my parents proud of me and today I did it! They were the happiest people in the world when I walked on the stage to receive the scroll.”

Faculty of Arts and Social Science Bachelor of Arts (Honours) English Language graduate C. M. Anjeli, enthused, “While I was still a student at UTAR, I saw other senior batches graduating. I was eagerly waiting for my turn, but to my disappointment, situations turned the other way round and we came face-to-face with the pandemic. Initially, I was very sad because the convocations were postponed but now I am really thankful to UTAR for arranging this convocation ceremony for all of us. Thank you UTAR for all your effort in making this convocation happen today. I am certainly a proud UTAR alumni!”

Institute of Chinese Studies Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Chinese Studies graduate Chee Sung Lek said, “It is a special day today because my family and friends are here to celebrate and cheer for my achievements. I’m excited to be back on campus and reminisce about my precious uni life. I really appreciate the university’s effort in making this ceremony possible for us and giving us the chance to experience this once-in-a-lifetime moment. He added, “I am ever grateful to my parents, family members, friends and lecturers. No amount of words are able to express my gratitude for their endless effort and support.”