Sealing of the time capsule.
(From left): Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong, Tun Michael Chen, Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai and Ong Yee Hong.
(From right): Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong, Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai and Datuk Seri Yew Teong Look, watering the raintree sapling during the tree-planting ceremony together with Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei (foreground leftmost).
Group photo of dignitaries on stage during the cake-cutting ceremony.
TAR UC’s main hall was filled with an atmosphere of celebration as staff, students and alumni from near and far gathered for TAR UC 50th Anniversary Main Ceremony on 17 March 2019.
Prior to the Main Ceremony, both Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of TARC Education Foundation and Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai, Chairman of the Board of Governors of TAR UC each planted a tree sapling of raintree (Samanea Saman) outside the Library in a tree-planting ceremony together with Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, President of TAR UC. The raintree symbolises TAR UC’s deep-rooted foundation which has lasted more than 50 years and will continue to flourish.
After the tree planting, Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong, Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai and Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei along with other dignitaries proceeded to the Main Hall for the TAR UC 50th Anniversary Main Ceremony. Among the VIPs who attended the ceremony were Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, former TAR College Council Chairman, Tun Michael Chen, former MCA deputy president, Dato’ Sri Dr Hou Kok Chung, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Governors of TAR UC, Tan Sri Dato’ Lau Yin Pin and Datuk Seri Yew Teong Look, both who are the members of the Board of Trustees of TARC Education Foundation as well as Dr Pamela Yong, Dato’ Yap Kuak Fong and Mr Adrian Yeo who are members of the TAR UC’s Board of Governors.
In his speech, Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong paid tribute to the founding leaders of TAR UC who laid the foundation for the institution to grow. “With the strong foundation laid down by our founding leaders, TAR UC today is able to stand tall and shine brightly as one of the premier institutions of higher learning in Malaysia. Our presence throughout the nation in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Perak, Johor, Pahang and Sabah reflects our commitment in widening access to quality and affordable education as envisaged by Tun Tan Siew Sin,” said Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee.
“What gives us the greatest sense of fulfilment is seeing our students transform to realise their full potentials and change their lives for the better with TAR UC’s education. Their achievements in life are testament to the quality and efficacy of our education. And I am proud to say that over the past 50 years, our effort was not in vain. Now we have seen many TAR UC alumni in Malaysia and all over the world creating success stories and putting Malaysia on the world map,” Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee added.
Meanwhile, TAR UC President, Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei shared in his speech the way forward for the institution in the next 50 years. “We will continue to evolve in our education and research to ensure that we continue to play an integral role and strengthen our relevance in the industries, society and nation. We will actively pursue the attainment of a full-fledged university status and at the same time, we continue to provide affordable and quality education for all as fulfilling educational needs of the communities is our sole reason for existence”, Prof Ir Dr Lee elaborated.
An energetic 24-season drum performance kicked off the Main Ceremony in high spirits. Poems in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese were recited by students and alumni while TAR UC choir serenaded the audience with their renditions of ‘Sejahtera Malaysia’ and ‘This is me’. Guest were also treated to the premier screening of “HomeComing” – a touching short film directed and produced by the Faculty of Communication and Creative Industries (‘FCCI’).
The guests at the Main Ceremony also bore witness to the sealing of a time capsule which was the crux of the ceremony. During the sealing of the time capsule, Prof Ir Dr Lee and Ong Yee Hong, the Student Representative Council President, placed the printed messages into the time capsule and sealed it while being witnessed by Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong and Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai. The time capsule contains the many aspirations and messages of the TARC Community of 2019 on what they hope TAR UC will become in the next 50 years. Once sealed, the time capsule will be placed in a secured location in TAR UC for 50 years and by 2069, the TARC community will open the time capsule to reveal the content stored in it so that they will be able to read and appreciate the aspirations and hopes of their predecessors.
The ceremony concluded with the cutting of the cake accompanied by the singing of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate TAR UC reaching 50 years of age.
