Providing a holistic experience for students

One for the album: Hock San (back row, fifth from right) posing with Malaysia’s national team and TAR UC’s dodgeball team after signing a MoU with TAR UC. With him are (back row, from fifth left) Chook, Tan and Cynthia.

KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Lim Hock San is a firm believer in every child having access to a proper education to unlock their potential.

And the chairman of several school boards, who is the managing director of LBS Bina Group Bhd, always keeps this Chinese saying close to his heart: “A jade stone is useless before it is processed; a man is good-for-nothing until he is educated.”

Hock San is certainly one to match his words with deeds.

Yesterday, he signed an MoU with Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) to provide its students with a holistic education experience over the next three years.

Hock San said the three-year partnership would kick-start efforts by LBS and TAR UC to combine their talents and facilities to support such a learning experience for students.

The MoU was signed by Hock San and TAR UC president Datuk Tan Chik Heok. LBS executive director Datuk Cynthia Lim Mooi Pang and TAR UC vice-president Dr Chook Ka Joo witnessed the signing.

“Under the agreement, students will be able to undergo internships with LBS, conduct joint-campus events, experience CSR activities and much more,” Hock San said, adding that LBS would be the platform for the TAR UC students to get a feel of the working world.

Part of the internships could be conducted at M3 Mall in Gombak which LBS recently acquired.

Hock San said next month, LBS would launch a conducive and safe “co-working” space within the complex for students to study, hold discussions and conduct activities.

The area, which could accommodate up to 80 students, will be open from 10am to 10pm daily.

Tan said the partnership with LBS will benefit about 20,000 TAR UC students, who can use the mall space for off-campus activities.

“This is a safe and convenient place for them to come after 6pm. They will have a nice place to hang out, and have discussions and networking sessions after classes.

“The mall is 1.6km from TAR UC’s campus and is near an LRT station. It has all the relevant facilities and also a conducive environment,” Tan said.

LBS and TAR UC previously collaborated on various activities, including the Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement in 2017, Robotics Competition in July 2017, “Mighty Healthy” campaign to promote health and wellness to the community, and #ADTANK Talk and Workshop earlier this year.