Uplifting needy students: Gathering at the mock cheque presentation ceremony are (from left) Assoc Prof Dr Chook Ka Joo, Dr Mah, Lee, Chan, Shung Yen, Ewe, Chong and Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, Vice President (Student Development and Alumni Relations), UTAR. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
TAR UMT, UTAR get funding for interest-free study loans
KUALA LUMPUR: Two prominent local non-profit universities have received a RM1mil boost to their student loan programmes from the family of the late Tan Sri Wong Mook Leong.
The donation resulted in the creation of a permanent, revolving interest-free student loan fund, each valued at RM500,000 and named in honour of Wong.
This fund will benefit both Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR).
TAR UMT’s board of governors chairman Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy fondly recalled his friendship with Wong, a respected MCA stalwart, whom he described as a principled leader committed to nurturing future generations of leaders while fostering unity across Malaysia’s diverse communities.
“It is especially meaningful that we now honour the legacy of Tan Sri Wong through the establishment of this student loan fund.
“This initiative reflects his lifelong passion for empowering young Malaysians through education,” he said during his address at the mock cheque presentation ceremony yesterday.
Chan, who is also Alumni Council chairman, lauded the effort by Wong’s son, Datuk Wong Shung Yen, for the donation as a meaningful way of keeping his father’s legacy alive.
Chan said that the loan fund would help ensure that students in need at both universities will be able to complete their studies following access to the student loan fund.
“We hold a strong view that no one should be deprived of a tertiary education because of their humble family background,” he said.
Chan recalled the challenges he faced as an undergraduate, where he had to work several part-time jobs to complete his university education.
“I worked as a part-time cook, a part-time journalist, and did all kinds of work just to survive.
“No student should have to undergo such difficulties. We will try our best to help deserving students from humble families, he added.
Since 1979, he said, TAR UMT has established a total of 135 student loan funds, which have assisted thousands of students in completing their studies.
Meanwhile, Shung Yen said that both TAR UMT and UTAR represent important pillars of education in Malaysia.
“Education is a cause my late father held close to his heart,” he said in his speech before the mock cheque ceremony.
He noted that May 15, which was chosen for the ceremony, was also very symbolic, as it marked the 44th anniversary of the founding of Kojadi, one of the earliest structured student loan initiatives in the country.
“My father played a foundational role in its formation, serving on the board and helping to shape what became one of Malaysia’s most impactful education loan cooperatives,” he said.
Shung Yen expressed his appreciation and thanked Chan for his stewardship in bringing this initiative to life.
The late Wong was known as the “conscience of the MCA”, who had contributed to nation-building, community development and party building.
He passed away on July 30, two years ago.
The 80-year-old leader was a long-time MCA veteran leader who served under five former MCA presidents.
Wong, a trained lawyer, joined MCA in 1973 and served as a member of the party’s central committee for 32 years until his resignation in 2009.
He also served as Selangor MCA deputy chairman for over a decade and in the party’s education bureau.
Regarding the level of student loan recovery over the years, both TAR UMT president Prof Datuk Dr Lee Sze Wei and UTAR president Prof Datuk Dr Ewe Hong Tat said that the recovery rate was notably high.
They attributed consistent reminders of late repayments coupled with fines as factors contributing to the high loan repayment level.
Also present at the event were TAR UMT board of trustees member Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and board of governors member Datuk Chong Sin Woon.
