A Global University Community
J-on
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Thursday, January 14, 2010
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By Wong Soon Eel
Kampar, Jan 12(J-on)- Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) warmly welcomed new students that came from all states of Malaysia and different parts of the world here, yesterday. New students gathered at the Heritage Hall of UTAR’s Kampar campus to register for the new undergraduate academic intake which will be held from 11 to 12 January.
New students lining up for their registration.
“Better to be here, it was a good chance for me to (be) exposed to a different country. I can experience multiculture since Malaysia is a multi-racial and multi-ethnic country and the campus view is nice,” said Kenyan student Hamara Awadh, 19, who will be studying Foundation in Arts, pursuing Bachelor of Electronic Engineering.
“The food here is cheaper and two of us now stay at Westlake hostel,” said Kenyan student Oscar Raha, 21, who will be studying Foundation in Science, pursuing Bachelor of Business Information System.
Oscar Raha, Hamara Awadh and Gabriel Teo having a conversation with Prof. Chuah.
“The foundation programme cost is sponsored by Tana River Life Foundation, a registered NGO in Kenya.
“The purpose of the Tana River Life Foundation is to promote quality education in the Kenyan rural area. After completing their foundation programme, UTAR will offer degree programme scholarships to them,” said Community Development Worker Gabriel Teo Kian Chong, 45, who is currently living in Kenya.
According to UTAR President Ir. Prof. Chuah Hean Teik, the university aims to have 10% international students in the next five years.
“This is good to create an international environment for students in order to have the opportunity to learn about different cultures, improve the way they think, and network with friends from different country,” he added.
Chuah further added that UTAR is currently putting effort in building international connections and collaborating with various institutions of higher learning from other countries. With an initial batch of 500 Foundation students in 2007 at the Perak Kampar Campus, the student population has now increased to 8,700.
To support a growing student population, the infrastructures and facilities for teaching and learning has been extended. With the additional infrastructure and facility, the campus now can accommodate over 16,000 students.
