Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) officially launched the Dato’ Teng Gaik Kwan Centre for Early Childhood Education on 19 February 2024. The launching ceremony was made very meaningful with the presence of Dato’ Teng herself, together with Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of TARC Education Foundation, Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Sak Cheng Lum, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of CECE Foundation, members of MCA Central Committee, Wanita MCA Central Committee, former and current Wanita MCA Chairs and Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, President of TAR UMT.
The Centre is named after Dato’ Teng to honour her significant hard work and dedication in the development of early childhood education in the country which led to the establishment of the Institution of Childhood Education Studies and Community Education (Institut CECE) 30 years ago.
“Dato’ Teng possessed a special dedication towards empowering women through education. As a former teacher herself, she is a visionary leader who saw the need to further improve the provision of short-term courses for pre-school teachers to professional university-level education. With this vision and in her capacity as the Chairman of National Wanita MCA then, she began to set the groundwork to achieve this dream. Between 1990 to 1992, Dato’ Teng worked together with pre-school teachers and educationists on a pilot study for a 30-month programme on pre-school teacher education. All their hard work paid off in 1993 with the launch of the two-year Pre-school Teacher Education Programme, also known as the Centre for Early Childhood Education (CECE) Programme,” Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee shared in his speech.
“She is not only a visionary leader but a woman with a strong will to fulfil the needs of the community and nation, and this is why Institut CECE will continue to be an important part of educational development in the country. This is an ongoing effort for us and as such, the newly launched Centre will be under TAR UMT. As a tertiary education institution of humble beginnings to a reputable and prestigious University in the country, TAR UMT is poised to lead CECE towards continued progress and development in the provision of quality early childhood education qualifications,” he further added.
“In the last 30 years, we have been proud of our achievements. Under the leadership of Dato' Teng and other subsequent leaders, we have produced 3,000 professionals, significantly contributing to the progress of early childhood education in the country. As a matter of fact, when we think of early childhood education in the country, we think of Dato’ Teng. This is why CECE is rightfully named after her. In addition, similar to TAR UMT, CECE is a not-for-profit private institution focusing on pre-school teachers’ education in Malaysia; hence, the vision and mission of providing good training for preschool educators are enshrined in this centre and are now in the good hands of TAR UMT,” Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Sak said.
Among the highlights of the event was Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee’s invitation for a standing ovation to honour Dato’ Teng. In addition, Dato’ Teng herself unveiled the plaque bearing the new name of the Centre. The ceremony concluded with the attendees, especially members of Wanita MCA taking many photos with Dato’ Teng.
Dato’ Teng (seated second from right) unveiling the plaque, accompanied by Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee (fourth from left) and Tan Sri Dato’ Sak (third from left)
Dato Teng (seated front row, fourth from left) together with Wanita MCA Central Committee members and former and current Wanita MCA Chairs.
