Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) kicked off its year-long 10th Anniversary Celebration at its Perak Campus in Kampar on 14 January 2012.
The celebration started with the UTAR Torch Run which was held in prelude to the launching ceremony of UTAR 10th Anniversary. A large crowd of UTAR staff, students and alumni, and members of the public arrived as early as 6.30 am to register for the Torch Run. An hour later, UTAR President Ir Professor Academician Dato' Dr Chuah Hean Teik gave an address, lit a torch specially designed for the run, and passed it to the torch bearer before he flagged off the 6.5-kilometer run.
Professor Chuah said, "The UTAR torch run was chosen to be the launching celebration activity because nine years ago, in January 2003, the original UTAR torch run was held to raise funds for UTAR. It was a 10-leg run, led by MCA Youth, in various towns in Perak and the last leg started in Kampar town padang and ended in UTAR campus site ready for groundbreaking ceremony by the then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir on 12 January 2003." He added, "For the torch runners this morning, you have revisited history and remade history."
The runners exited at the south gate of the campus, ran through Westlake Homes residential area and Bandar Baru Kampar before returning to the campus, where UTAR Council Chairman Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik awaited at the finishing line to receive the torch from the final torch bearer.
The UTAR Torch Run was then followed by the UTAR 10th Anniversary Celebration Launching Ceremony. The launching ceremony started with a unique One Malaysia dance performed by a team of secondary school students from SMJK San Min and SMK Sultan Abdul Aziz from Teluk Intan.
Professor Chuah said, "To celebrate the 10th anniversary of UTAR, we have come up with a Chinese duiliang or couplet specially dedicated to the celebrations. It says: "十载培才 不忘前人多贡献 百年化雨 且看新景更辉煌". Translated into English is "A decade of forerunners' toil, we'll treasure in our hearts. A century of nurturing individuals, we'll achieve with greater glory."
"While we celebrate the University's 10th anniversary, let us not forget the contributions of our forerunners. From a spark of inspiration among the MCA forerunners, more than 40 years ago, came the aspiration of creating a premier institution of higher learning," said Tun Dr Ling, adding that the forerunners toiled for over three decades until their dream eventually came true when Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman was born ten years ago on 13 August 2002.
Later, Tun Dr Ling, accompanied by Professor Chuah, Deputy Minister of Higher Education Dato' Dr Hou Kok Chung, and UTAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman Tan Sri Dato' Dr Sak Cheng Lum, launched the 10th Anniversary commemorative book, website and video which showcased the progress and development of the University since its inception.
The Korean exchange students Gwon Deuk Yong, Kang Hyunkyon, Shin Myoung Jee, Kim Eunhye, and An Jae Sung from Inje University were happy to participate in the celebration. Gwon felt exited joining the Torch Run as it was rarely held in Korea. Kang was impressed by the UTAR Chinese Orchestra that performed a harmonious fusion of traditional and modern music before the launching ceremony.
Prof Chuah lit the torch for the Torch Run
Tun Dr Ling placing the torch to the torch stand to conclude the Torch Run
Launching the 10th Anniversary commemorative book (from left): Dato' Dr Hou, Tun Dr Ling, Prof Chuah and Tan Sri Dato' Dr
Runners in action
The Korean exchange students (from left): An, Kim, Gwon, Shin and Kang
