The 10th Anniversary of the UTAR Sungai Long Toastmasters Club was celebrated during a lively and meaningful evening on 8 April 2026, bringing together a vibrant community of 79 participants, including UTAR students, staff, distinguished guests, and fellow Toastmasters. The event not only marked a decade of growth and achievement, but also highlighted the enduring value of communication and leadership development among students.
Distinguished guests, fellow Toastmasters, UTAR staff and students
The celebration began with a warm and welcoming buffet dinner, where attendees enjoyed the opportunity to mingle, reconnect, and build new friendships. The relaxed atmosphere set the tone for an evening filled with inspiration, reflection, and camaraderie, true to the spirit of Toastmasters International.
The event also served as an accessible introduction to the Toastmasters experience, aligning with the club’s mission to nurture confident speakers and future leaders.
Gracing the occasion was Prof Dr Zuraidah binti Abd Manaf, UTAR Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation, representing the University President. In her address, she reflected on the club’s journey since its charter on 1 April 2016, commending its resilience, achievements, and continued impact on student development. She emphasised the importance of communication and leadership skills in today’s competitive world, encouraging students to take advantage of platforms like Toastmasters to grow and discover their voice. In appreciation of her presence and support, the club presented her with a commemorative plaque. The event was also graced by Dato’ Dr Lee Boon Hua, Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes, Faculty of Education, UTAR.
Prof Zuraidah commending the club’s resilience, achievements, and continued impact on student development
Prof Zuraidah receiving a commemorative plaque from Dr Saraswathy
The programme also featured addresses by several distinguished speakers, including Organising Chair Ms Khoo Suat Hoong, Club Advisor Distinguished Toastmaster Dr Saraswathy Thurairaj, and Distinguished Toastmaster Mr Robert Ram, District 102 Director of Toastmasters International. Their speeches highlighted the club’s journey, its supportive learning environment, and the importance of sustaining such a platform for future students.
Welcome address by Ms Khoo
Dr Saraswathy thanking UTAR for its steadfast support
Dr Saraswathy also expressed her deepest appreciation to the leadership of UTAR for their steadfast support and belief in student development. They have graciously allowed the UTAR Sungai Long Toastmasters Club to conduct bimonthly meetings in the University Meeting Room.
Address by Distinguished Toastmaster Mr Robert
A nostalgic slideshow brought guests down memory lane, showcasing milestones such as achieving the prestigious President’s Distinguished Club status five times over the past decade. Appreciation gifts were also presented to past presidents of the club, distinguished guests, and mentors who have played a pivotal role in shaping the club’s success. This was followed by a cake-cutting ceremony to commemorate the club’s 10th anniversary.
From left: Ms Khoo, Ms Valerie Goh, District 102 Toastmasters International, Muhammad Arif, Distinguished Toastmaster Dr Saraswathy, Prof Zuraidah, Distinguished Toastmaster Mr Robert and Dato’ Lee
A cake-cutting ceremony to commemorate the club’s 10th anniversary
Adding depth and inspiration to the celebration were two speech demonstrations by members of the UTAR Sungai Long Toastmasters Club. Law Teck Loong, a Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) student from the Faculty of Accountancy and Management, shared his personal transformation, from struggling through a one-minute university interview to confidently handling a 25-minute internship interview, demonstrating the impact of consistent practice in communication through his involvement in Toastmasters, where he actively used the platform to practise and improve.
Speech presentation by Law
Meanwhile, Casimir Chiong Ming Yuan, a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Mathematics with Computing student from the Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, highlighted his leadership journey through a Toastmasters project on managing projects successfully. He took on the role of Organising Chair for the 1st UTAR National Speech Competition and shared how he learned, through challenges, to delegate effectively, trust his team members, and avoid taking on all responsibilities alone, while gaining a deeper appreciation for teamwork.
Speech presentation by Casimir Chiong
The event was further enlivened by an engaging fun activity, energetic emcees and heartfelt interactions among participants. Attendees expressed their appreciation for the meaningful programme, noting how the event inspired them and reinforced the importance of communication skills for personal and professional growth.
The celebration concluded with a closing address by the President of UTAR Sungai Long Toastmasters Club, Muhammad Arif, who encouraged UTAR students to consider joining the Toastmasters club and to take the opportunity to develop their communication and leadership skills.
Closing address by Muhammad Arif
As the UTAR Sungai Long Toastmasters Club marks its 10-year milestone, the evening stood as a testament to its enduring legacy: a supportive platform where individuals grow, connect, and thrive. With continued passion and commitment, the club looks forward to inspiring many more voices in the years ahead.
To learn more and stay updated on upcoming activities, follow the UTAR Sungai Long Toastmasters Club on Facebook and Instagram.
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