“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered,” Nelson Mandela once said. An individual will either change for the good or for the worse over years of hardship and exploration. Yet, for the alumni at the UTAR Alumni Annual Dinner 2025, the University that was once their choice of aspirations remains a place of quality education and cherished memories.
Smiles in full swing! Alumni reconnected and posed for photos before the feast
More than 260 alumni, now enriched with diverse bonds and experiences, gathered for an evening of feast and joy—immersing themselves not only in the jolly reconnection with their classmates and friends, but also in a heartwarming journey through memory lane.
The dinner, organised by the UTAR Department of Alumni Relations and Placement (DARP) at UTAR Kampar Campus on 29 November 2025, offered a nostalgic rewind of their university days, and a valuable opportunity to expand their professional and personal networks through the sharing of experiences and knowledge with fellow alumni. It rekindled the spirit of togetherness between the University and its alumni, reflecting the universal values embedded in the very foundation of UTAR’s philosophy.
From left: Tan Sri Sak, Tan Sri Chuah, Prof Dato’ Ewe, Mr Hew, and Ms Aw inaugurating the celebration
Alumni and their families sharing jolly moments together at their tables
They say food brings people and joy together. These scrumptious delights sure did!
In his remarks, UTAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Sak Cheng Lum said, “UTAR was established 23 years ago. From the beginning, we were very clear in our minds that we wanted to provide affordable and quality education to Malaysians, and we continue to hold this belief seriously. The reputation and image of an educational institution truly rest on the success, intelligence, innovation, and contribution of its alumni and students. In this regard, UTAR alumni have done us proud.”
Tan Sri Sak highlighting UTAR’s philosophy of providing affordable education since its foundation
Sharing the joy of UTARians’ remarkable achievements, UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat said, “This evening is a time for us to make new friendships, reconnect with classmates and lecturers, and build new bonds across generations of UTAR graduates. It is also a moment for us, as a university, to express how grateful we are for the unwavering loyalty you have continued to show. In various award nominations, I have received praises from organisations and entrepreneurs for the performance of our alumni. UTAR is proud of each one of you and your achievements—both personal and vocational—which are what make the University shine.”
Prof Dato’ Ewe congratulating alumni for their outstanding achievements beyond the campus grounds
Reflecting on the shared memories and values nurtured at her alma mater, UTAR Alumni Association of Malaysia (UAAM) President Ms Aw Chan Yann said, “No matter where we are, we carry the same UTAR values—discipline, integrity, and adaptability to survive and thrive in the world. UTAR is not just a campus we left; it is a family we carry throughout our lives. No matter how far we have gone, this is the place that shaped us.”
Ms Aw sharing her cherished memories during her student days
An unrecognised talent is an unknown talent; a recognised talent is an empowered one. More than just a dinner to inspire cherished memories, the alumni dinner was also a platform to recognise the outstanding achievements and contributions of alumni in their fields of expertise, in turn inspiring both current and fellow alumni to strive for excellence and make meaningful contributions to society.
The winners of UTAR Outstanding Alumni Award are as follows:
Tan Sri Sak (far left) and Prof Dato’ Ewe (far right) presenting the UTAR Outstanding Alumni Awards to the recipients
Thinking of sharing your joy with your loved ones? The award recipients beat you to it!
A great feast should never be without music and performances. The alumni dinner was blessed with a symphony of song and talent performances, not only injecting euphony into the vibrant atmosphere but also adding colour to the alumni’s nostalgic jaunt back through time. Gracing the evening were a series of melodious song performances by UTAR students, exciting diabolo performances by UTAR Kampar Chinese Diabolo Club, ever-different dance performances by UTAR Dance Club, and classical Chinese dance performances by UTAR Kampar Chinese Dance Club.
A celebration at UTAR grounds without vibrant performances from UTARians is nigh impossible
Similar to the previous alumni annual dinner, a lucky draw session was also included in this year’s dinner, which added excitement to the waves of joyous activities at the grand hall of Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik.
One of the highlights of the evening was the lucky draw, featuring over 10 prizes—from a TV to a vacuum cleaner, a smartwatch and plenty of exciting gadgets
While the announcement of prize winners was exciting, letting random feast-goers pick the winners made it even more exhilarating!
Prior to the dinner, alumni and their loved ones were offered a tour of UTAR Agriculture Park at the green campus. From basking in the natural surroundings, to trying stingless bee honey, observing the aqua ecosystem of the sustainable fish farm, and petting Boer Cross goats at the shed, the tour was filled with lighthearted moments as participants delved into the development of agriculture at the University.
A jaunt to UTAR Agriculture Park
“Either you partake of this delicious stingless bee honey or else…” (Stingless bee honey cultivation)
“Ma! There are fish in this box!” (Fish farm)
“Good, human. Now just a little bit to the right.” (Goat shed)
Beyond that, their morning was kick-started with an energetic exercise session and a health talk, led by trainers from Sixbase Sport Arena. For those keen on monitoring their health, UTAR Hospital also provided complimentary medical check-up services.
A good stretch to start a day, led by Sixbase Sport Arena
Participants having their body condition monitored by UTAR Hospital staff at the free medical check-up booths
If an energetic morning was not the choice, similarly salubrious activities were provided at UTAR Hospital’s T&CM Centre in the same morning—where alumni and families experienced a soothing tour, brimmed with health services such as herbal foot bath, acupuncture, and health consultation.
The morning was all about doubling the wellness with UTAR and UTAR Hospital
From relaxing acupuncture, moxibustion therapy, and herbal foot baths to insightful health consultations, the TCM Centre showcased its healing touch!
Also present at the dinner were Puan Sri Irene Sak, UTAR Hospital Board Chairman and UTAR Council Member Ir Academician Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Chuah Hean Teik, UTAR Council Member Mr Hew Fen Yee, UTAR Education Foundation BOT Secretary Mr Ong Whee Tiong, UTAR Hospital CEO Dato’ Dr Ding Lay Ming, UTAR Teh Hong Piow Faculty of Business and Finance (THP FBF) Dean Assoc Prof Dr Au Yong Hui Nee, Faculty of Science (FSc) Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) Dean Ir Prof Dr Ng Choon Aun, Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) Dean Dr Lee Lai Meng, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology Dean Prof Ts Dr Liew Soung Yue, Faculty of Chinese Studies (FCS) Dean Assoc Prof Dr Chong Siou Wei, Confucius Institute (CI) at UTAR Director (China) Prof Dr Ma Yingxin, THP FBF Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Dr Wei Chooi Yi, UTAR T&CM Centre Practitioner Mr Choo Zi Xian, UTAR staff and students; and alumni and their families.
Changes are inevitable in an individual’s journey, just like UTAR alumni who have enriched their skills and lifestyle over the years. Their life philosophy might have altered, but the UTAR values remain ever strong in the current networks of talent.
The future continues to inspire new bonds; and the spirit of unity, tenacity, agility, and responsibility firmly connects this growing constellation of luminaries. Just as the UTAR Alumni Annual Dinner 2025 brought together alumni for a celebration of togetherness, UTAR stands proud of the growth and achievements each alum has displayed beyond the campus grounds. It will forever remain a home to your evolving stories.
DARP, the spark and force behind the meaningful annual initiative
A long-standing phrase for fellow UTARians, “UTAR, my choice!”
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