With the aim to promote greater awareness among youth on the potential career path in joining the army, members from the Malaysian Army Chinese Veteran Association (‘MACVA’) led by its President, Brigadier General Dr Leong Weng Foon and officials from the Ministry of Defence (‘MINDEF’) paid a visit to TAR UC on 30 November 2016. The career awareness talk which is an initiative between MACVA and MINDEF was held in Block DKE of Kuala Lumpur Main Campus and was attended by 53 students who are all members of TAR UC’s Army Reserve Unit. Datuk Dr Tan Chik Heok, President of TAR UC, was present to welcome the guests to TAR UC.
In his welcome speech, Datuk Dr Tan expressed his appreciation to the members of MACVA for sharing their invaluable experience when they were serving in the army with TAR UC students. “My gratitude goes to members of MACVA who came up with this initiative to share their experiences and knowledge with our students on being better leaders and to instil patriotism and determination to defend the sovereignty of our beloved homeland. Not forgetting the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) for their continuous support and co-operation to initiate this type of program towards promoting and creating awareness among our fellow students on the importance of armed force duties in the preservation of peace and stability in the country. Furthermore, this will give our students a better view of the possible career pathways available in the army,” he said.
Meanwhile Brigadier General Dr Leong Weng Foon was very happy to see the enthusiasm among TAR UC students to learn more about the army. “TAR UC is the first institution of higher learning for us to organise this career awareness talk and we are very honoured to share our experiences with students of TAR UC. MACVA is very encouraged and motivated to see a good turnout by TAR UC’s Army Reserve Unit to learn more about the career progression available for them should they join the army. This is a good start for MACVA in our efforts to not only educate the young but instil in them the interest to join the army once they graduate,” he expressed.
A representative from MINDEF then proceeded to present relevant information on joining the army to the students. Jason Chia Seng Ooi, a Diploma in Social Science (Counselling) student who attended the talk said: “I joined TAR UC’s Army Reserve Unit because I would like to be strong mentally and physically. Ever since I joined the Unit in October 2016, I have been attending various trainings and activities which helped me develop a discipline life. Due to the many benefits I have gained since joining the Army Reserve Unit, I am keen to learn the many benefits in joining the army and I am glad that TAR UC hosted this awareness talk.”
