UTAR Alumni

JANUARY 2011

A memorable time with the Alumni

A memorable time with the Alumni

Good memories are always invaluable and cherished by people, so do UTAR alumni.

When UTAR organized the Alumni Liaison Representative New Year Gathering 2011 at its PJ campus on 15^th January, 2011, many could testify the heartfelt emotional acquaintance between UTAR and the alumni.

The function started with a video entitled 'Down the Memory Lane' that bedazzled all the 20 ex Utarians with scenes that captured and framed the memorable events from the day they joined UTAR as freshies up to the moving moments they received their hard earned scrolls during convocation. It was indeed a wonderful time recapping their study experiences in UTAR, strong friendships they bonded and significant maturity that they attained throughout their study in UTAR.

In his welcoming speech, UTAR President Engr. Professor Dato' Dr Chuah Hean Teik emphasized the relevance of having the sense of belonging with their alma mater through an enhanced human network not only with old classmates but also with existing students and staff. To achieve that, Prof. Chuah urged all alumni to register as a committee in the Alumni Association and participate actively in the activities specially designed for alumni by the Department of Alumni Relations and Placement (DARP).

"The meeting was great and relevant. I hope it could be organized more often as it successfully consolidated the relationship between the alumni and UTAR," affirmed Yap Aik Chen, an alumnus and also a staff of UTAR's Software Development & Multimedia Services Centre.

Concurrently, Prof. Chuah also took the opportunity to announce the promotion of Dr. Teh Chee Seng as the Vice President of Student Development and Alumni Relations, replacing Dr. Yeoh Suan Poh who retired last year. Alumni were also kept posted of the progress of the much anticipated new phased construction in UTAR Perak campus. In particular, the multi-purpose Grand Hall that can accommodate 3500 people with additional features that could stage all sorts of performances and activities, sports games like badminton, Alumni Homecoming activities, international conferences and most significantly, UTAR graduation convocation.

"After a lot of study, the Grand Hall will incorporate Chinese culture in its architecture design," said Prof Chuah, who proudly associated the design with "a little like the Forbidden City". He also encouraged the alumni to participate actively in UTAR 10^th year Anniversary in 2012. "By 2012, the 3^rd phase of UTAR construction will be completed, just in time for UTAR 10^th year Anniversary celebrations as well as UTAR convocation, the first to be held at Perak Campus," revealed UTAR President.

The gathering was organized by Department of Alumni Relations and Placement as a continuous effort to bond the link between UTAR and its alumni. "DARP has done very good jobs in organizing Career Fairs for UTAR students and alumni, not only joined by Japanese companies but many more. One of the most noteworthy ones was the Career Fair held last year," Prof Chuah continued, as he related how happy he was to get an unexpected request by the renowned JACTIM (Japanese Chamber of Trade and Industry Malaysia) to hold a Career Talk for UTAR students. "DARP will also be arranging for the coming UTAR Ball Night" he smiled.

The event ended in high spirits of laughter and joy as alumni and staff catch up with one another updating their status and career movements. Though a short gathering, it provided great opportunities for networking and bonding among UTAR alumni.