Each guest paid RM2,000 to dine and to contribute towards the education of deserving students from underprivileged families at the Selangor MCA's fund-raising dinner recently. The three-hour event raised RM8.5mil for UTAR.

The biggest donor, Talam Corp and associates, contributed RM5mil to UTAR. Another two major donors were Bandar Utama Development Sdn Bhd and Asia Pacific Land Berhad. Each contributed RM1mil.

The Association of Pawnshops had agreed to donate RM1mil while a donor who wished to remain anonymous had pledged RM500,000.

In his speech, Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting pointed out that the 21st century belonged to countries and people who acquired information.

He added that UTAR would help create a knowledge-based workforce for Malaysia with its selective courses, reasonable fees and quality lecturers.