From Left to Right:
YB Tan Sri Dato' Seri (Dr.) Abdullah bin Ayub, Pro-Chancellor, UTM;
YABhg Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik, UTAR Council Chairman;
YAM Raja Zarith Sofiah Binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah, Pro-Chancellor, UTM;
YBhg Datuk Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd. Zulkifli bin Tan Sri Mohd. Ghazali, Vice-Chancellor, UTM;

Before a capacity crowd of four thousand students, faculty, family members and guests in a majestic auditorium, the Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofia Binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah, gravely conferred upon Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, UTAR Council Chairman, the honorary degree of the Doctor of Engineering Management for his contribution in the field of transportation and his role in the setting up of UTAR.

With this distinguished recognition, YABhg Tun Dr Ling joins the list of 30 eminent recipients, among them world renowned scientists, scholars, national leaders and prominent individuals who have contributed significantly to Malaysia's progress, be it in the arena of politics, economics, public and community services, education, sciences or international relations: YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood, His Royal Highness Prince Philip of the United Kingdom, Y Bhg Professor Christopher R Calladine, Professor S K Bhattacharya and Y Bhg Professor Antony Hewish - who have been conferred honorary doctoral degrees by UTM. The first recipient of the Honorary Degree was awarded to Y Bhg Tan Sri Hj. Yusuff bin Hj. Ibrahim. This was in 1989.

YABhg Tun Dr Ling's illustrious 30 years of distinguished service and leadership included 17 years as President of the MCA (senior partner in the Barisan Nasional), eighteen years as Chairman of Tunku Abdul Rahman College (KTAR) Council and seventeen and a half years as the Minister of Transport.

As the then Minister of Transport, YABhg Tun Dr Ling turned Malaysia into a major port of call for international shipping lines and succeeded in securing more business for the nation's numerous ports, resulting in a tremendous increase in the number of containers they collectively handled. He also brought about the development and success of the nation's airports, especially the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

In the field of education, the excellent track record of KTAR under his stewardship resulted in an invitation by the government to set up UTAR which was established in 2002. Under YABhg Tun Dr Ling's guidance and leadership as founding Chairman of UTAR Council, UTAR has been making excellent progress although it is only just over two years old. As best summarized by the Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Yang Amat Mulia Raja Zarith Sofia Binti Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah, Tun Dr Ling may have retired from active politics and government service but he still has a lot to offer and contribute to the country. His active participation in the development of UTAR attests to his passion and love for education, a concern close to his heart.