A moment beyond excellence:
UTAR celebrates its staff achievements at UTAR Staff Awards Ceremony 2026

Beyond the cheers and claps, the Heritage Hall at UTAR Kampar Campus was a stage for the extraordinary as the University celebrated its staff’s commitment and outstanding achievements during the UTAR Staff Awards Ceremony 2026.

UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat enthused, “A university’s greatest asset is not its buildings or facilities; it is the people who dedicate themselves every day to educating, discovering, serving, and inspiring. At UTAR, our greatest strength lies not in any single individual, but in our people working together with a shared purpose. Every lecturer, researcher, administrator, technician, and support staff member contributes to creating an environment where our students can learn, discover, and thrive. Each of us may play different roles, but we all contribute towards the same mission: to provide quality education, advance knowledge through research and innovation, and serve society with integrity and excellence.”

When congratulating the recipients, the President said, “Today, we proudly celebrate colleagues who have served UTAR for 10 and 20 years, and recognise colleagues who have demonstrated outstanding excellence in service, teaching, e-learning, research, innovation, and research leadership. Such milestones represent far more than the passage of time. They symbolise loyalty, resilience, adaptability, and a shared journey of growing together with the University through changing times and new opportunities. Your years of dedicated service have laid strong foundations for UTAR’s continued development. We sincerely thank you for your commitment and hope that your journey will inspire younger colleagues to embrace the same spirit of dedication and professionalism.”

The celebration was joined by UTAR Council Member Mr Hew Fen Yee, Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min, Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, Registrar Ms Loh Siaw Yien, and Division of Human Resource Director Ms Marchie Lim Pin Sim, along with staff.

The awards presented comprised the 10 Years Long Service Award, 20 Years Long Service Award, and several Excellence Awards, given in recognition of staff members who demonstrated outstanding performance, leadership, innovation, and commitment in their roles. A total of 145 staff members received the 10 Years Long Service Award, while 48 were honoured with the 20 Years Long Service Award, reflecting their steadfast loyalty and dedication to the University.

Chairperson Dr Chen Fanyu, who accepted the Research Centre Excellence Award 2025 on behalf of the Centre for Economic Studies, expressed, “Thank you, UTAR, for the recognition and award! Receiving research centre-related awards for two consecutive years brings double joy and motivation to the Centre for Economic Studies (CES). As such, we shall continue improving ourselves and strive for greater achievements.”

Ms Kok Li Kuan, the recipient of the UTAR Staff Service Excellence Award 2025, enthused, “This award is truly meaningful and it testifies to my belief that consistent dedication and attention to detail truly make a difference. I am grateful to my team and UTAR for this recognition. It strengthens my commitment to serve with integrity, pride, and excellence every single day.”

Dr Rajini Kumar, recipient of the Teaching Excellence Award 2025, commented, “Teaching, to me, is more than a profession; it is my passion. This recognition affirms that passion, patience, and genuine care for students throughout my career. I am grateful to my students, who inspire me daily, and to UTAR for recognising the heart that we lecturers pour into every lecture. This honour fuels my commitment to keep shaping minds and igniting curiosity.”

The UTAR Staff Awards Ceremony is a cornerstone annual event that powerfully underscores the University’s deep-seated commitment to recognising the invaluable contributions of its entire workforce, reinforcing the fundamental truth that institutional excellence is built upon the passion, resilience, and ingenuity of its people. This not only strengthens UTAR’s thriving academic community but also solidifies its standing as a forward-thinking beacon of higher education in Malaysia and beyond.

The list of Excellence Awards winners is as follows:

UTAR Staff Service Excellence Award 2025
Ms Kok Li Kuan, Institute of Management and Leadership Development
Ms Yee Sau Keng, Department of General Services (Sungai Long Campus)

Presentation of e-Learning and Teaching Excellence Award 2025
Science, Engineering and Technology category:
Ts Dr Phua Yeong Nan, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science
Ms Teen Soh Hong, Centre for Foundation Studies (Sungai Long Campus)

e-Learning Excellence Award in Management, Accountancy, Business and Finance category:
Ms Chin Yoon Mei, Teh Hong Piow Faculty of Business and Finance

Teaching Excellence Award 2025
1. Ms Chan Jer Jing, Centre for Foundation Studies (Kampar)
2. Mr Foo Heng Yen, Centre for Foundation Studies (Sungai Long)
3. Ts Dr Saw Seow Hui, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology
4. Ts Dr Mogana Vadiveloo, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology
5. Ir Prof Dr Sumathi Sethupathi, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology
6. Ir Dr Mun Hou Kit, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science
7. Dr Michelle Ng Yeen Tan, Faculty of Science
8. Clinical Assoc Prof Dr Kang Waye Hann, M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences  
9. Dr Sanggari Krishnan, Faculty of Arts and Social Science 
10. Ms Geetha Veerappan, Faculty of Education
11. Ms Liang Chooi Ling, Centre for Foundation Studies (Sungai Long)
12. Dr Rajini Kumar Sreedharam, Faculty of Creative Industries

Innovation Excellence Award 2025
Ir Ts Dr Hau Lee Cheun, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science
Ir Prof Dr Lim Yun Seng, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science
Ir ProfDr Chua Kein Huat, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science

Research Excellence Award 2025
Ir Prof Ts Dr Jeffrey Yap Boon Hui, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science
Assoc Prof Ts Dr Jun Hieng Kiat, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science
Assoc Prof Dr Lee Hui Shan, Faculty of Accountancy and Management

Research Centre Excellence Award 2025
Centre for Power Systems and Electricity
Centre for Economic Studies

Top Researcher Award 2025 in the category of Science, Engineering, Technology and Medicine
Prof Dr Chong Kok Keong, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science