Beyond awards: Stories that echo at Student Awards and UTAR Representative Appreciation Ceremony 2025

It’s more. More than a ceremony. More than the applause and cheers thundering through the hall. These awards carry stories — stories that testify to true perseverance, determination, resilience, teamwork, and self-discipline.

At the Student Awards and UTAR Representative Appreciation Ceremony 2025, held on 27 August 2025 at UTAR Kampar Campus, the award recipients stood as inspiring icons, proving that their ideas were not just imagination, but actionable plans that brought meaningful impact to the university and the wider community. The ceremony was witnessed by 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 Dean Ir Prof Dr Ng Choon Aun, Teh Hong Piow Faculty of Business and Finance Deputy Dean Prof Dr Abdelhak Senadjki, Centre for Foundation Studies Kampar Deputy Director Mr Lim Khiew Loon, M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Clinical Senior Professor Dr Jenny Parameshvara Deva @ Nee Ng Gek Pheng, and Department of Student Affairs Kampar Head Mr Chiang Jeng Fong and Sungai Long Head Ms Loh Nyuk Leung.

Prof Dato’ Ewe said, “Today’s awards not only highlight your achievements, but also the values and experiences that shape who you are as future leaders of society. Through your achievements, you are inspiring others and the broader community. What makes these awards so special are also the stories that tell of your late-night preparations, teamwork, overcoming challenges, and perseverance. With these awards, you are not just accomplishing your targeted goals, but also using them as a platform to nurture skills and acquire knowledge that will further refine your character and mindset. I also hope that you will use these achievements as opportunities to continue contributing meaningful impacts to society, the country, and the world.”

Truly, an achievement tells a more impactful story when it benefits the community. For instance, the “We Want No Plastic” Campaign, led by Ms Chen Zhi Shan, promoted environmental awareness and sustainable practices across Perak and Penang. The campaign reached thousands and achieved measurable impact, inspiring public engagement, fostering youth involvement, and aligning its initiatives with Malaysia’s Zero Single-Use Plastics Roadmap. The campaign also exemplified a strong commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Her commitment and leadership contributed meaningfully to environmental protection and community empowerment, earning her the Outstanding Community Service Awards 2024/2025, Outstanding Leadership Award 2024/2025, and SDG Merit Award 2024/2025.

Another impactful initiative was “The Tale of Pink Ribbon: Get Screened Today!”, organised in partnership with the National Cancer Society Malaysia. The project raised breast cancer awareness across Perak, reaching over 71,000 individuals, resulting in a 52% screening rate and securing 25 media features. Led by Ms Rachel Lim Zhi Qian, her initiative demonstrated strong leadership and a deep commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being. This earned her the Mental and Physical Health Awareness Award 2024/2025.

For Mr Tan Jing Jie, his personal experience was more than a story — it was a testament to impactful, forward-thinking innovation aligned with real-world education and societal needs. His project, “Personalisation of large language models for academic applications”, offered a ground-breaking AI-powered solution to address academic procrastination and student mental well-being. Integrating personalised learning, mental health support, and real-time adaptation, the innovation has earned national and international recognition, including first place at the ASEAN IPR Youth Essay Competition. His achievement was celebrated with the Innovation and Creativity Awards 2024/2025, and Outstanding Talent Awards 2024/2025.

Achievements beyond academic excellence were also celebrated at the ceremony. The Medical and Health Sciences Society of Sungai Long Campus won the Outstanding Club and Society Award (Course-Based Society) 2024/2025. The society organised numerous events that reflected their strong commitment to advancing knowledge, service, and leadership in the health sciences. Meanwhile, the Wushu Club of Kampar Campus won the Outstanding Club and Society Award (Non-Course Based) 2024/2025. The Club’s active engagement with the community through lion dance performances at the Beat the Drum Music Festival, Glimpse, the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, and the Kampar Tin Mining Festival; as well as the members earning silver and bronze medals in national-level events, such as the Kejohanan Jemputan Sanda Pulau Pinang, Manjung Wushu Sanda Fight Day and Malaysia Sanda King Open 2025, reflected the Club’s dedication to Wushu and cultural preservation.

The ceremony also awarded Mr Pang Siu Yuan with the Professor Dr Jenny P. Deva UTAR Soft Skills Development Award 2025. He was selected based on the grade of USSDC with ‘Platinum’ score and obtained the highest USSDC points within the year of the convocation. His achievement tells the story of one who understood that true education extends beyond exams and books — recognising his effort on becoming a well-rounded individual whose growth inspires peers and strengthens the community.

Shifting to the world of sports, it’s often the untold and unseen stories of the countless hours of training, the pain of repetition, and the sacrifices made. Sometimes, these athletes even face setbacks — losses, disappointments, and injuries, but resilience is born in these moments. They prove that strength is measured by how one rises from the fall, and that determination can silence doubts. It also weaves a story of unity — team members giving their best at the arena, bound by the silent trust between them, and bringing the community together with the hope of inspiring healthier lifestyles. This year, Mr Yeoh Yuan Hui was named the Sportsman of the Year 2024/2025, and Ms Yeap Shevon was named the Sportswoman of the Year 2024/2025. However, these honours and glories in sports also celebrate all the sports representatives of both campuses.

Click the PDF (UTAR Sports Representatives) to view the full list of representatives.