Renowned actress, singer, director, and painter Ms Sinje Lee (李心洁) captivated an audience of 150 staff and students at UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 19 February 2025 with an inspiring sharing session titled “How childhood experiences influence lifelong perspectives.”
The event was organised by the Department of Early Childhood Studies, Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI), in collaboration with the International Institute of Media (IIM).
In his welcome speech, FCI Dean Assoc Prof Dr David Tneh Cheng Eng highlighted Ms Sinje Lee’s remarkable achievements in movie production, including her role as executive producer of the award-winning film Abang Adik. He also acknowledged her contributions as co-founder of the Little Yellow Flower Foundation, which supports children’s education and welfare. Dr David Tneh then expressed gratitude to Ms Sinje Lee for taking the time to engage with UTAR staff and students.
During the session, Ms Sinje Lee reflected on her personal experiences, emphasising how childhood memories and challenges shape one’s outlook on life. She shared her thoughts on education and child development, stressing the crucial role of teachers in shaping a child’s journey. She recounted how certain educators left a lasting impression on her, demonstrating that a teacher’s attitude and approach can significantly influence a student’s future.
Ms Sinje Lee also spoke about her experience in helping her daughter choose a school, which led her to rethink the true meaning of education. She emphasised that the learning environment and the quality of teachers should be key considerations, rather than just academic performance. She cautioned that schools with rigid goals might unintentionally confine students within a set framework, limiting their ability to explore and grow beyond predefined expectations.
Addressing the emotional well-being of children, Ms Sinje Lee underscored the importance of happiness in education, stating, “Unhappy people cannot nurture happy children.” She encouraged parents and educators to provide children with the space to grow naturally rather than pressuring them to continuously meet societal expectations.
The session concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where participants gained deeper insights into Ms Sinje Lee’s life experiences and perspectives on education and personal growth.
From left: Ms Sinje Lee receiving a souvenir from Dr David Tneh
Group photo at the end of the event
© 2025 UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN DU012(A).
Wholly owned by UTAR Education Foundation (200201010564(578227-M)) LEGAL STATEMENT TERM OF USAGE PRIVACY NOTICE
