In celebrating the momentous occasion of UTAR turning 20 this year, the Department of Student Affairs (DSA) of Kampar Campus organised a singing contest titled UTAR 20th Anniversary Just Sing! Singing Contest (优大二十周年庆之唱吧！K歌达人赛) on 2 July 2022 at Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik of UTAR Kampar Campus.

Present at the ceremony were UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat, UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, DSA Head of Student Affairs Department Chiang Jeng Fong, staff and students.

Prof Ewe said in his welcome address, “I am very happy to see so much support given to UTAR 20th anniversary celebration. As you know, UTAR is a university by the people, for the people, so UTAR’s success today is made possible thanks to the great support from the community. Therefore, your participation and presence here tonight are important testimonies of UTAR’s growth and achievements over the years, and I thank you for sharing this joyous moment with UTAR tonight. Apart from celebrating UTAR’s 20th anniversary, the surplus from the profits of the contest will be donated to the UTAR Hospital. For this, I also extend my appreciation and gratitude to all the contributors for their contributions. They have enabled us to complete the development of UTAR Hospital that will serve the greater good. Therefore, the theme of this singing contest which is ‘Just Sing! – 唱吧’ aims to thank the enthusiastic and compassionate donors of UTAR Hospital.”

The competition started with five finalists from Category A consisting of UTAR staff/alumni, followed by another five finalists from Category B consisting of UTAR students. Their singing performances were evaluated by judges, namely Alex Yau (Top five finalists of Astro Classic Golden Melody); Lin Kah Jun (Malaysian singer-songwriter and radio host); Pink Tan (Malaysian singer and hostess) and Ts Soong Hoong Cheng (Faculty of Information and Communication Technology academic, co-advisor for UTAR Music Club and UTAR Chinese Orchestra).

The winners of the competition are as follows:

Category A- UTAR staff/alumni

1. Champion -  Fiona Chuah Yong Xiu
2. 1st Runner Up -  Teoh Chin Yick
3. 2nd Runner Up - Vinson Lau Guang Hui
4. Consolation Prize -  Ho Chan Cheong and Khor Xi Bo

Category B - UTAR students

1. Champion -  Khor Jia Cheng
2. 1st Runner Up - Sheena Gan Shi Wei
3. 2nd Runner Up -  Leong Yin Xuan
4. Consolation Prize - Chow Hor Yan and Khoo Zhi Xin

Best Showmanship winner -  Khor Jia Cheng

Popularity Award winner -  Chow Hor Yan

The first prize winner from Category A (UTAR Alumni), Chuah Yong Xiu expressed her gratitude and said, “Performing in my alma mater’s auditorium has been the greatest honour in my life. I am grateful to be able to return to UTAR to celebrate its 20th-anniversary celebration. I am also really fortunate to have won the championship in the Just Sing! Singing Contest, and I couldn’t thank myself enough for not giving up on my dream. Above all, my utmost gratitude to all my friends and audiences who have shown their support to me. I have always lived my life as a performer who would never miss out on a chance to be on stage and that includes the chance to return to my university and support this huge celebration of my alma mater on its anniversary day. As UTAR alumni, I was instilled with a wealth of knowledge that empowered me to strive and present myself confidently in the working industry today. So, happy 20th-anniversary UTAR and I wish the best to all members and staff. Stay safe and healthy.”

In addition, the first prize winner of Category B (UTAR Students) and Best Showmanship, Khor said, “Singing has been one of my hobbies since I was young. When UTAR decided to hold a physical singing competition after two years of the pandemic, I decided to join the competition to show my talent. I was really shocked and I couldn’t believe myself when I won the first prize because all the participants were so talented and they gave their best during their performance.  I am so happy and thrilled to win the first prize of the Just Sing Contest.”

Furthermore, the event also featured various exciting performances, namely dance performances from Susan Dance Art Studio, modern dance from UTAR Dance Club (Kampar Campus), and a singing performance by one of the competition judges, Alex Yau.

The UTAR 20th Anniversary Just Sing! Singing Contest was sponsored by Texas Instruments (Bronze sponsor), Sky View Cuisine & Hotpot (Bronze sponsor), Statworks Group (Silver sponsor) and U Mobile (Silver sponsor).