UTAR was graced by a visit from the Tzu Chi Group of Entrepreneurs (慈済实业家) at Kampar Campus on 8 September 2023. The visit aimed to build rapport, promote mutual understanding, and discuss opportunities for future collaboration.

The Tzu Chi Group of Entrepreneurs was comprised of delegates from four companies, namely Torto Food Industries, YGL Convergence Bhd, PLANTIE Group and Swisspac Resources Sdn Bhd. Among the delegates were Torto Food Industries Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Lee Ching Hoe, Director Long Li Wen, HR Manager Nicole Eng Chin Chin; YGL Convergence Bhd CEO Yeap Kong Chean, Marketing Manager Humphrey Ho Soo Wee; PLANTIE Group Chief Financial Officer Chee Kok Meng, HR Manager Steven Chang Eng Soon, HR Executive Ong Cheong Looi, Account Manager Law Siew Len; Swisspac Resources Sdn Bhd CEO Lim Chin Hoo and Business Development Manager Hong Kian Soon.

Welcoming the guests were UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) Dean Ir Prof Dr Ng Choon Aun, Faculty of Science (FSc) Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng, Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes Ts Dr Khor Kheng Kia, Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF) Department of Entrepreneurship and Supply Chain Management Head Dr Ng Yin Kuan, Division of Community and International Networking (DcinterNet) Deputy Director Dr Chen, I-Chi, Department of Alumni Relations and Placement (DARP) Head Tan Cheng Wah and UTAR staff.

In his welcome remark, Prof Choong gave a brief introduction about UTAR’s development, programmes, and collaborations with the industries. Dr Lee, on the other hand, expressed his gratitude to UTAR for the arrangement and introduced the Tzu Chi Group of Entrepreneurs and its Community Social Care. He also explained the purpose of their visit to UTAR and expressed their desire to create a stronger link with UTAR.

Representing their respective companies, Dr Lee, Mr Yeap, Mr Chee and Mr Lim shared their company’s background information including its establishment, development, product, technology, future prospect, staff development, talent recruitment and many more. They expressed their willingness to carry out more concrete cooperation with UTAR from various other aspects.

The meeting was followed by a discussion on possible collaborations between the two parties. Among the topics discussed were talent recruitment and talent hub, industrial placement and visit, joint talent cultivation; staff development; community service project; UTAR hiring activities and academic events; consultancy by academics from various fields; sharing of resources and expertise; job market and the need of industries, to name a few.

The delegates then visited several places of attraction, such as the Library, Bronze Sculptures, Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and so on during the campus tour at Kampar Campus. The delegates also had a tour of the UTAR Hospital.