Prof Choong (right) receiving the mock cheque from Hew (middle) while Sherry (left) look on
UTAR received a donation of RM31, 200 from Westlake International School (WIS) during a cheque presentation ceremony at WIS’s Multi-Purpose Hall, Kampar, Perak on 2 April 2019.
Held in conjunction with the school’s weekly morning assembly, the ceremony saw UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong representing UTAR in receiving the donation from WIS Executive Director Hew Fen Yee. Also present were WIS Principal Sherry Ann Daniel, WIS Finance Director Hew Fee Voon, and WIS Student Services and Administration Director Sara Wong.
Aimed at contributing to UTAR’s ongoing hospital project, the fund was collected from WIS’s “We Care. We Share. We Give” fundraising carnival held on 16 March 2019. Also receiving the donations from WIS were beneficiaries such as orphanage, rehabilitation centre for people with special needs, non-profit NGO, and centre for the disabled. They include Tanjung Tualang’s Persatuan Anak-Anak Yatim Soleha represented by its founder Mohd Ali bin Ho Soom Ali, Kampar’s Persatuan Kebajikan Bagi Orang Istimewa Kampar represented by Chairperson Soong Pak Fong, Kuala Lumpur’s Malaysian Care represented by Executive Director Wong Young Soon, and Hutan Melintang’s Bethany Home represented by Sherry.
Describing the carnival as a fun, enriching and well-managed platform where the organisers managed to put a smile on people’s faces, Hew mentioned that it was also a meaningful way to make a difference in the community. “Our beneficiaries are working very hard in ensuring the welfare of the underprivileged is well taken care of,” Hew said, adding that while others may see such everyday work as mundane, these heroes are committed in making a positive impact to the society. The Kampar-born Executive Director also drew a parallel between running charitable initiatives and running a marathon. “If our carnival is like a 50-metre sprint, then what our beneficiaries are doing would be a long-running marathon, hence making them truly the heroes of the society,” he remarked.
Hew, who is also a member of the UTAR Council, took the opportunity to introduce the UTAR Hospital project and its many positive impacts to the Kinta Valley as well as the country. “The UTAR Hospital is a unique hospital because it not only provides medical services but also supports teaching and research. As UTAR is a not-for-profit university, the hospital will follow the footsteps to be affordable to the people around the Kampar region as well as the public,” explained Hew. Pointing out that the hospital’s establishment will also create job opportunities and drive Kampar’s economic growth, Hew stated that it will be meaningful for WIS to be involved in supporting such community-benefitting project.
Thankful for WIS’s generous contribution, Prof Choong said UTAR is blessed to have received the trust and support from various parties. He also mentioned that the University will therefore continue to give back to the community in line with its founding principle of “by the people, for the people”.
Located within the award-winning Kampar Campus, the UTAR Hospital is set to be a not-for-profit hospital offering services in Western Medicine as well as Traditional and Complementary Medicine including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurvedic Medicine. The hospital will eventually house 500 beds for Western Medicine and 100 beds for the Traditional and Complementary Medicine, further benefitting communities of the Kinta Valley as well as the country with its affordable services. Its first phase is scheduled to be completed by December 2021 and be fully operational in 2022 in conjunction with UTAR’s 20th Anniversary.
Donations to the construction of the UTAR Hospital are welcomed and further information can be referred here.
