The UTAR Scholarship Award Presentation Ceremony for the October 2024 intake was organised by the Department of Scholarships and Financial Aid (DSFA) on 13 November 2024 at Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, UTAR Kampar Campus and on 19 November 2024 at UTAR Sungai Long Campus. A total of 400 external and internal scholarship recipients attended the ceremony held at both campuses.

The China Ambassador Scholarship was presented alongside the UTAR Scholarship Award Ceremony for the October 2024 intake, recognising 33 multiracial students from both campuses.

The guests present at UTAR Kampar Campus were UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Faculty of Science (FSc) Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng, Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF) Deputy Dean Dr Peter Tan Sin Howe, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) Deputy Dean Dr Tan Kok Tat, Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) Deputy Dean Dr Ling Liong Ngo, Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) Deputy Dean Ms Kok Hui Meian, Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS) (Kampar Campus) Director Ts Tan Lee Siew and Division of Programme Promotion (DPP) Deputy Director Mr Tan Choon Wah.

Present at UTAR Sungai Long Campus were Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (MK FMHS) Dean Prof Dr Thong Meow Keong, Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) Dean Dr Pok Wei Fong, Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI) Dean Dr David Tneh Cheng Eng, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Deputy Dean Assoc Prof Ts Dr Lee Kim Yee, Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS) (Sungai Long Campus) Deputy Director Ms Pua Gaik Hong, and DPP Senior Assistant Manager Encik Mohd Risman bin Ayob.

Prof Dato’ Ewe extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the recipients and said, “The scholarships are far more than financial support; they are acknowledgements of your dedication, resilience, and passion for learning. They are an affirmation of your potential to bring about positive change, both within and beyond the walls of UTAR. Let this achievement serve as a reminder of your potential to inspire, uplift, and contribute meaningfully to society.”

He revealed, “As of Oct 2024, UTAR has awarded over RM206.9million as internal scholarships and RM18.4million as internal interest-free loans to a total of more than 23,000 students. In addition, RM25.9million worth of external scholarships and RM4.7million worth of external loans, not including PTPTN loans, were awarded to more than 1,100 students.” He also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the donors, community members, and supporters for their unwavering support of the university and encouraged the scholarship recipients to give back to society when they have the means to do so in the future.

Echoing this sentiment, Prof Choong, in his speech at Sungai Long Campus, commended the recipients for their academic achievements and described the scholarships as a gateway to new opportunities and a platform to pursue aspirations while giving back to the community.

During the gratitude-sharing session, Reyshma Taj Kandasamy, a Foundation in Science student and recipient of the UTAR Scholarship for Top Achievers, expressed her heartfelt thanks and said, “UTAR has offered me not only a quality education, but also a scholarship that has made my academic dreams a reality. I am deeply grateful to UTAR for giving me this opportunity and supporting me on this journey.” 

Fu Jie Min, a Foundation in Science student and recipient of the UTAR Talent Scholarship, shared, “This scholarship not only acknowledges my passion and dedication to drawing but also encourages me to strive for excellence in all aspects of my life. Balancing my talent with academics can be challenging, but UTAR’s support has empowered me to push my limits and achieve more. I am truly grateful to UTAR for believing in me and offering this invaluable opportunity. Thank you, UTAR, for helping me grow into my best self.”

Chang Shing Min, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Chinese Studies student and recipient of the UTAR-UEC Scholarship, expressed, “I am deeply thankful to my family and my secondary school for their unwavering support and encouragement, which have given me the strength to overcome challenges and shaped me into who I am today. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to UTAR Management for awarding me this scholarship and supporting my academic journey.”

Anson Kok Ming Jin, a Bachelor of Electronics Engineering (Honours) student and recipient of the Huawei Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd Scholarship, shared his sincere appreciation for the support he received throughout his academic journey at UTAR. “I initially enrolled at UTAR without a scholarship, but UTAR never gave up on me. With a variety of scholarship opportunities available, UTAR is committed to supporting its students’ aspirations. I was fortunate to secure the Huawei Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd Scholarship. The process may have been challenging, but it was worth it. Thank you UTAR for standing by me and illuminating my educational path,” he expressed.

Another student from Foundation in Science who received 100% UTAR Scholarship for Top Achievers, Chan Yan Hao expressed deep gratitude for receiving the 100% scholarship from UTAR, emphasising that it was the culmination of a lifetime of hard work. He shared his appreciation for the university recognising his efforts and granting him this opportunity.

He also shared his aspirations of securing the same 100% scholarship for his undergraduate programme. Following that, he plans to pursue professional qualifications and a degree that would enable him to give back to society.

Bachelor of Science (Honours) Financial Mathematics student, Cheah Yan Yi, expressed heartfelt gratitude for being chosen as a UTAR JinBodhi Bursary Scholarship recipient. Acknowledging the financial support provided by the scholarship, she extended her sincere thanks to the organisation for selecting her.

She shared that the scholarship allows her to focus more on her studies as she pursues a degree in Financial Mathematics, a programme heavily centred on mathematics. Previously juggling her studies with a part-time job at a restaurant, she noted that the scholarship has eased her financial burden, enabling her to reduce her working hours.

Bachelor of Finance (Financial Technology) with Honours student and recipient of UTAR-UEC Scholarship, Mah Hui Ying, shared a humorous and memorable moment from her award ceremony, where her name was mistakenly displayed incorrectly on the screen. She admitted feeling shocked while on stage but later laughed off the experience, cherishing it as a unique and remarkable memory. Reflecting on the event, she expressed pride in her achievement, especially when holding her certificate and realising the significance of the honour.

She went on to thank her secondary school, Kuen Cheng, her parents, her mother, friends, and everyone who supported her along the way. As a FinTech degree student, she highlighted her excitement about working in such an innovative industry. Grateful for the scholarship that has eased her financial burden, she expressed her determination to use the opportunity to explore new possibilities, enhance her creativity, and grow further in her field.

Foundation student and recipient of 100% UTAR Scholarship for Top Achievers, Shruti N, Mahenthiran expressed great happiness and pride in receiving the scholarship from UTAR, emphasising that it is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She acknowledged the honour of being chosen, noting that not everyone has the opportunity to achieve such recognition.

She highlighted how the scholarship would significantly support her academic journey as she plans to pursue an MBBS degree, a programme known for its high costs. She explained that the scholarship would alleviate her parents’ financial burden and serve as a strong motivation for her to maintain a high GPA. This, she added, inspires her to study diligently every day to retain the scholarship.

Tharmunieshwar P Prakasam, a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Applied Mathematics with Computing student and recipient of 100% UTAR Scholarship for Top Achievers, shared his happiness upon receiving the scholarship, explaining that he had initially planned to work while studying to cover his expenses. The scholarship, he noted, has relieved him of this need, allowing him to fully focus on excelling in his exams.

He further elaborated that the financial support not only enables him to dedicate his time to his studies but also opens up opportunities for him to aim for higher-tier jobs in the future. Grateful for the scholarship, he expressed his intention to give back to society and UTAR as a way of showing his appreciation.

The ceremony was followed by heartfelt sessions featuring messages from scholarship alumni recipients, surprise video clips from parents, and a meaningful tea-serving ceremony.