It is a special joy for me to extend a warm welcome home to our alumni. 

We are joined here this evening in a reunion, between you and your fellow university mates and between you and your alma mater, the university that had played a significant role in shaping your future.  This special evening aims to reaffirm and further strengthen the bonds among the alumni, students, faculty and staff that make up the UTAR family.  It is also an opportune time to celebrate the growth and aspirations of your beloved alma mater.

UTAR started with a student population of 411, staff strength of about 70 and eight Bachelor?s programmes at three faculties in one campus location.  Fast forward, UTAR now, in its eighth year of operation, has over 19,000 students, staff strength of over 1,400 academic and administrative staff, and offers a comprehensive array of 90 programmes ranging from foundation to PhD level spread over nine faculties in four campus locations. 

Now, greater challenges await us.  New vision of a research-focused university has brought UTAR and the community to a whole new level of excellence.  The boosting of research activities will definitely help to elevate the university?s ranking and allow us to achieve local and international recognition.

All the favourable developments we witnessed were the result of meticulous planning and execution of our strategies as well as the hardwork and dedication of our UTAR community.  I would like to emphasise that you, our UTAR alumni, is a vital part of the University community.  With a total of over 21,000 UTAR alumni, I believe the combined strength would contribute significantly towards fulfilling the University?s aspiration and educational mission especially at this stage of rapid progress and development. 

As you move along the road towards your goals in life, I would like to highlight that success is not in the money or material possessions we accumulate. Our power is revealed when we use our talents and gifts to serve a greater good.  The saying goes, ?a man of success achieves his goals, while a man of significance changes his world?.  I hope you could clearly understand the difference.  Our significance in life is determined by our capacity to extend our talents, gifts and knowledge to contribute actively to the community, nation and beyond.

As you are aware, UTAR itself is a not-for-profit university that runs on contributions made by the public.  With this strong support from the community for the University?s educational vision, I am confident you will want to and be able to give something back to the community that has supported you.  Moving ahead, I urge the whole university community ? students, lecturers, staff and alumni, to join our hearts and minds to enrich this University together.

With best wishes,

Ir. Professor Dato' Dr. Chuah Hean Teik

UTAR President/CEO