To promote the upcoming Ai Hua Jiao (爱华教) Charity Night for UTAR Hospital fundraising, a press conference was jointly organised by Hai-O Foundation, Sin Chew Daily and UTAR on 14 September 2022 at UTAR T&CM Centre.

The Ai Hua Jiao Charity Night, which aims to raise RM3million for UTAR Hospital, will be held at Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik on 2 December 2022.

Present at the press conference were Hai-O Raya Bhd General Manager Philip Teo Kheng Leong, Hai-O Enterprise Business Operations and Product Development Manager Vicky Cheng, Sin Chew Media Corporation Bhd Communications and Promotion General Manager Tan Kim Chuan, UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, UTAR T&CM Centre Director Assoc Prof Dr Te Kian Keong, Sin Chew Daily representative, UTAR and UTAR Hospital staff.

In his welcome remarks, Prof Dato’ Ewe said, “UTAR is very grateful towards Hai-O Foundation and Sin Chew Daily for their continued support ever since the launch of T&CM Centre. It has been a long and tough journey for us, however, it is all thanks to the trust and support given by the people around the world that UTAR is able to reciprocate the kindness by offering quality and affordable educational services. UTAR Hospital was created as one of the ways to give back to society. It currently offers a variety of quality medical services and education in traditional Chinese medicine field; in the near future, traditional Malay medicine, Ayurvedic treatment, and western medicine will be introduced as well. Furthermore, UTAR is liaising with the government of India to discuss a collaboration in training excellent practitioners in the field of Ayurvedic medicine.”

He added, “In just a few months since April, UTAR T&CM Centre has treated and served 7,500 patients. It received many positive feedbacks from not only Kampar people, but also people from other states such as Kedah, Selangor and Johor. With the medical centre for western medicine reaching 95% of completion, UTAR still needs to raise around RM60million to RM70million to complete the whole hospital. We hope that, with time and great support from the people, UTAR Hospital will go on to provide one of the best medical services and education in the world.”

Echoing the sentiment, Tan said, “Sin Chew Daily would like to thank UTAR and Hai-O Foundation for giving us the opportunity to hold another charity night for UTAR Hospital fundraising. UTAR built a hospital not only to benefit the Kampar community, but also the world as a form of kindness to give back to society, which is unique compared to other educational institutions. This early morning, I noticed an MPV with seven to eight passengers visiting UTAR T&CM Centre to get treatment. This moment coupled with people’s positive feedback made me realise that they are a testimony of people’s confidence in UTAR T&CM Centre’s medical services along with the fact that traditional Chinese medicine is effective in the professional medical field.”

He also mentioned, “Sin Chew Daily has collaborated with various philanthropists to aid the Chinese community and Chinese education. There aren’t many wealthy individuals who are willing to donate to people’s welfare. Hence, in this regard, I earnestly respect and thank Hai-O Foundation for offering their kind support to UTAR Hospital to create a better future in the medical field.”

Representing Hai-O Foundation, Philip Teo said, “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hai-O Foundation had remained dormant for two years in donation and fundraising events. Therefore, I am very happy to be able to join hands with Sin Chew Daily and UTAR to raise funds for UTAR Hospital. UTAR started as a small university in 2002 and quickly became one of the leading universities in the world. With the development of UTAR Hospital that combines elements from traditional and modern medicine, the local medical standards and the local economy will see significant growth.”

He even emphasised the significance of continuing the predecessors’ legacy, “Like UTAR, Hai-O Foundation also started as a small store; by our late founder Tan Kai Hee. He upheld the principle of giving back to society and passed it on to us. Hence, we are here, with the predecessors’ principle in our mind, to express our gratitude to society.”

The press conference ended with a group photography session.