Donation by Thiam Lai Yean Foundation for the UTAR- Lim Yong Keat Student Loan

Prof Ewe (second from left) exchanging the signed documents with Lim (second from right) in the presence of Prof Choong (far left), Datuk Lim (middle) and Teh (far right)

The Signing Ceremony of the Donation by Thiam Lai Yean Foundation for the UTAR- Lim Yong Keat Student Loan took place at Sungai Long Campus on 19 March 2022. The Thiam Lai Yean Foundation donated a total amount of RM3million under the UTAR-Lim Yong Keat Student Loan. The UTAR-Lim Yong Keat Student Loan will benefit students who are pursuing their studies in UTAR. The agreement was signed by Advisory Committee Member of Thiam Lai Yean Foundation Lim Yoke Ping and UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat; it was witnessed by UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong and Member of Thiam Lai Yean Foundation Teh Shen Li in presence of UTAR Council Member Datuk Lim Si Cheng.

Prof Ewe (left) and Lim (right) delivering their speech

Prof Ewe said, “UTAR is indeed honoured and privileged to receive a total of RM3million as a donation from Thiam Lai Yean Foundation. The UTAR-Lim Yong Keat Student Loan is for students who are pursuing their studies in UTAR engineering programmes, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) as well as medical staff members who are undergoing the Medical Specialist Training programmes sponsored by UTAR and UTAR Hospital. This loan will certainly benefit deserving students to pursue their tertiary studies and encourage them to take greater interests in the subject, excel further and eventually contribute back to society. I am happy that Thiam Lai Yean Foundation and UTAR share the same vision and goal in ensuring that all deserving students regardless of their backgrounds have the equal opportunity to have quality education. This is also in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal No. 4, which is to ensure quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

In her speech, Lim said, “We are glad to be here for the signing ceremony of the setting up of UTAR-Lim Yong Keat Student Loan. It represents one of the most significant projects undertaken by the Thiam Lai Yean Foundation. My father Lim Yong Keat, one of the founders of the construction group IJM set up the foundation named under my grandmother to understand worthy causes for the elevation of poverty, promotion of education, arts and culture. He is a firm believer that education is the key to unlocking human potential, to transform not only their individual lives but of their families. The fund is established in the hope it will give opportunities to deserving students in need to pursue their education specifically in the field of engineering and medicine. We were impressed with the work UTAR does and we have great confidence that UTAR will implement and manage the fund in the most professional manner to benefit students who need a lift in life.”

Prior to the signing ceremony, an ambulance was also donated by the Thiam Lai Yean Foundation towards the UTAR Hospital.

From left: Prof Choong, Teh, Prof Ewe, Lim and Datuk Lim