Themed Shining Night, the UTAR Alumni Annual Dinner was held at the Genting International Convention Centre on 26 November 2016 at 6.30pm. Organised by the UTAR Department of Alumni Relations and Placement (DARP) and the UTAR Alumni Association, the annual dinner was a memorable night of entertaining performances, lucky draws, good food, and networking among all 430 attendees at the dinner.

Present at the dinner were UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato' Dr Chuah Hean Teik, Registrar Yim Lin Heng, DARP Head Lim Swea Jen, Alumni Association President Koh Fook Huat, LKC FES Dean Prof Goi Bok Min, FBF Dean Dr Au Yong Hui Nee, DCCPR Director Ong Soo Weon, Deans, Deputies, Alumni, their family, sponsors, UTAR staff, students and invited guests.

UTAR President Prof Chuah welcomed everyone during the opening speech and thanked the organising committee and sponsors for making the event a success. In the course of his speech, he stated that he hopes the alumni will continue to keep UTAR close to their hearts and contribute towards UTAR?s causes for the benefit of their juniors at the University. He mentioned that UTAR has continued to keep its tuition fees affordable all these years with assistance from the generosity of philanthropists, corporations, the alumni and the public who donated towards UTAR?s development. There was proud applause from the floor when Prof Chuah mentioned that the University was built with no borrowings from the banks. To continue with growth and expansion, the building of the hospital in Kampar Campus is the next phase of development and he sought the support of the alumni to contribute towards the building of the hospital.  

Since the dinner was a special night for the alumni, it was befitting that the alumni be showcased during the entertaining performances. There were singing performances and fashion shows featuring designs by UniQueens Fashion founder Esther Soon with models featuring students from UTAR Kampar Campus. Esther set up her first boutique six years ago while she was still a student at UTAR. Now she is a proud owner of UniQueens range of designs for the young and hip.

2015 Biotech graduate Joanne Lai, winner of one of Astro's singing competition, sang two songs and she got the audience tapping to the song Marmalade. The Acapella singers Black Muffin did a rendition of two songs including one with cup stacking. Evelyn Foo Ching Lin (FBF marketing graduate) and Eric Yang Shun Kai (FSc Microbiology graduate) did soulful duets that kept the audience enthralled with their magical voices. Rebecca Pang Sing Vun (FAS Psychology major) and Alson Tan Boon Han (Chemistry graduate) got together to sing for the first time as a duet and the harmony of their voices combined with their stage chemistry made their performance outstanding. Grace Anne Mak Zhi Hui (FBF Finance graduate) brought all the singers together in a singing finale with the upbeat song Domino that kept the audience clapping to the beat.

Keeping up with the lively spirit of the dinner were two dance performances by the Sungai Long Campus Dance Club who has made a reputation for themselves on campus with their fast paced well- choreographed and synchronised dance moves. There were also performances by Loong Bee, a sand artist and Rhythmix Dancers who did the colourful peacock dance.

UTAR students Kennie Tan Hui Lee and Tan Heng Fatt were the emcees for the night. They spruced the night with their humour and fun remarks. There was a surprise proposal by an alumni to his girlfriend on stage which brought the house down with cheers and applause.

Overall, it was a night to remember with the lucky draws taking in the most response from the audience who joined in the laughter and thrill of winning.

The main sponsor for the dinner was the Genting Rewards Official Loyalty Card. The gold sponsors were Advancecon Infra Sdn Bhd and Silverlake SPRINTS Sdn Bhd. The silver sponsors were Brunsfield Engineering Sdn Bhd, Juris Technologies Sdn Bhd, Top glove Sdn Bhd, and Face to Face Noodle House. Fotorex Holdings, See Kok Meng, Torrecid SA Representative Office and Inventech Solution were the bronze sponsors. Other sponsors include Micro Modular System Sdn Bhd, KPMG, Sin Heap Lee Development Sdn Bhd, Ede & Ravenscroft (M) Sdn Bhd, Joey Yap Consulting Sdn Bhd, OOTB Personal Development Sdn Bhd, PCCO PLT, Sim Florist, EMO Book Services, Pustaka Prinsip, Danish House, Mighty Bakery, Ads Pacific Print, MBO Cinema, and Sagami.

The University thanks the organising committee, all sponsors, especially the alumni and everyone for making the Alumni Annual Dinner a successful night of good fun for all.

Emcees for the night, UTAR students (from right), Kennie Tan and Heng Fatt
UTAR President Prof Chuah is on stage giving his speech

Heng Fatt (left) and Kennie  

Joanne Lai   

 Grace Anne Mak singing Domino

UniQueens Fashion Show - founder of UniQueens, Esther Soon (5^th from right) with the models