The officiation of the Tan Sri Ong Leong Huat Lecture Theatre and the Puan Sri Khor Chai Moi iMac Lab, and the donation to UTAR Hospital marked another historic moment for UTAR. The launch ceremonies and mock cheque presentation took place on 2 September 2022 at UTAR’s Kampar Campus.

Gracing the event were OSK Group Executive Chairman Tan Sri Ong Leong Huat; Group Managing Director Mr Ong Ju Yan; Executive Director Dato’ Saiful Bahri bin Zainuddin; and OSK Group’s Corporate Communications team.

Also present were Kuala Lumpur Kepong (KLK) Berhad Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Lee Oi Hian and spouse Puan Sri Dato’ Sandra Lee; KLK Berhad Non-Executive Director Dato’ Lee Hau Hian and spouse Datin Teh Li Li; Madam Lee Oi Loon and family members, and KLK Berhad staff.

Esteemed guests of the event were welcomed by UTAR Chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and spouse Toh Puan Ena Ling; UTAR Council Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Ting Chew Peh, UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat; UTAR Council Members Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn and Mr and Mrs Hew Fen Yee and their sons Mr Isaac Hew and Mr Aaron Hew.

UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min; Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong; Registrar Yim Lin Heng; Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology Dean Ir Prof Dr Ng Choon Aun; Faculty of Business and Finance Dean Associate Prof Dr Au Yong Hui Nee; Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Dean Dr Lee Lai Meng; Faculty of Science Dean Associate Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng and UTAR staff were also present to witness the meaningful occasion.

Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, said in his speech, “Today’s launching is indeed a testament of Tan Sri Ong and his family’s belief in giving back to society. Inspired by the vision to develop sustainable livelihoods and deliver impactful change in the community, Tan Sri Ong has always stressed on the importance of education among Malaysians.

“Last year, through the OSK Foundation, UTAR students received more than RM17,900 worth of scholarships to pursue their tertiary education. UTAR is indeed proud that Tan Sri Ong shares the same vision as the University that education is the foundation to personal and economic growth, and the success of our country.”

Prof Ewe added, “UTAR was established through the generous support and donations from the community, donors, philanthropists and organisations. As a university by the people for the people, in return, UTAR provides affordable quality education and financial assistance to help less privileged students attain tertiary education and succeed in life.

“While helping to meet the country’s education objectives and providing higher education opportunities for our youth, UTAR also contributes to the development of human capital that will drive innovation and growth for our Nation and the region.”

Sited just next to UTAR’s academic faculties, UTAR Hospital is also built on the same principle of giving back to the community by providing quality and affordable medical and healthcare services that will benefit everyone. In addition to inpatient and outpatient treatment, the newly-built hospital is also designed to support the education and practical training needs of UTAR’s medical students and is well-equipped to conduct medical research for the advancement of medicine and healthcare.

Today, UTAR is truly honoured and grateful to Tan Sri Ong and Puan Sri Khor’s donation of RM6 million to the UTAR Education Foundation in October 2021. Your generosity will greatly benefit UTAR and our community. Once again, on behalf of UTAR’s staff and students and UTAR Hospital, thank you for your kind support and generosity.”

Mr Ong Ju Yan, representing Puan Sri Khor Chai Moi, delivered her speech on her behalf, “I grew up in a poor family, in a small town called Bagan Serai. Life back then was simple but difficult. Like many of my generation, I was given the opportunity to study up until secondary school, after which affordability became a limiting factor, which made it difficult for me to obtain my tertiary education. It was much later, after my husband had achieved some financial stability and after I had given birth to five children, that I was able to continue my education by obtaining a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree through an external degree programme with a local institution.

“From my personal journey, I know how hard it is for someone from a poor family to gain excess to tertiary education and I am very grateful to the founding members of UTAR who have succeeded in building an institution that offers high-quality tertiary education at an affordable price to members of the community who need it the most.

“I started working at a young age as a school teacher in Convent Bukit Nanas. I have always had a passion for education. As a teacher, I can say with certainty that education not only imparts knowledge, but also builds character. And it is through the combination of deep knowledge and good character that a person can aspire to contribute to their family and the community. Over the recent years, I have worked with many impressive individuals who are graduates of UTAR. The fact that the graduates of UTAR are of high calibre and of good character is testament to the quality of education that the University is able to deliver.”

He continued, “Over the years I have followed the development of UTAR, but I have never had the opportunity to visit the campus until recently. During my visit, I must say that I was very impressed, not only by the buildings and beautiful campus, but also by the quality and commitment of the management and the faculty members. I am also proud that UTAR has achieved a significant milestone with the opening of the UTAR Hospital.

“I believe every culture has its strength, its unique skills, and its treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom. In combining both Western and Asian medical practices in one place, UTAR Hospital is harnessing the best of both cultures. I am excited how the interdisciplinary sharing could produce graduates who can help our community, and I am grateful to have an opportunity to be a part of this noble project.”

In delivering his speech, Tan Sri Ong Leong Huat said, “I came from a humble farming family of 10 siblings. Being the eldest child, I did not have the privilege to obtain formal education due to a lack of opportunity and financial means. Throughout my life, I have always known that education has the power to change, not only an individual’s life, but also your family and community. It is my belief that access to education is a fundamental human right of every woman, man, and child, no matter who and where they are.

“Yet throughout the decades and until today, we continue to see many people in our community who are unable to access the education they need due to social, economic or cultural reasons. This has been one of the main reasons behind my conviction to do my small part in supporting the development of education in Malaysia, both personally and through the OSK Foundation.

“I am therefore very pleased to be given the privilege to take part in this project. It is my hope that many young people will make full use of this learning infrastructure to achieve their personal and career goals. I also pray that through this project, many families, our community and our country will be blessed.”

Tan Sri Ong added, “It is a known fact that every community needs access to good healthcare in order to thrive. I am very proud that UTAR, as a private non-profit institution, has been able to extend its curriculum to include healthcare as a subject of study.

“This has been made possible within only two decades, since UTAR was launched in 2002. I have always admired the foresight and commitment of the founding members, as well as the past and present leaders of UTAR. From Tun Ling Liong Sik and his team to the Management and Faculty of this institution, you have created a good tertiary institution that helps our community and the Nation. I pray that UTAR will continue to excel in the years to come.”

To honour the generosity and the contribution of Tan Sri Ong Leong Huat and Puan Sri Khor Chai Moi towards the University, a lecture theatre located in the UTAR Faculty of Business and Finance and the UTAR iMac Lab located in the Faculty of Arts and Social Science are named after Tan Sri Ong and Puan Sri Khor, respectively.

The Tan Sri Ong Leong Huat Lecture Theatre and the Puan Sri Khor Chai Moi iMac Lab will serve as a positive reminder to UTAR’s students about the life and contributions of both Tan Sri Ong and Puan Sri Khor, and the importance of perseverance, diligence, and a good education in achieving personal growth and success in life.