Datuk Seri Dr. KK Chai (second from left), President of the Malaysia Chinese Assembly Hall, presented the “Outstanding Chinese Social Dedication Award” to Tan Cheng Liang (centre). The award ceremony was jointly witnessed by Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, Datuk Seri Haji Fadillah Yusof (second from right); Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil (first from right); and MCAH organising committee chairman, Datuk Patrick Sim (first from left).
PETALING JAYA: VTAR Institute chief executive officer Tan Cheng Liang has received the Outstanding Chinese Social Dedication Award from the Malaysia Chinese Assembly Hall (MCAH).
The award, bestowed in conjunction with the MCAH's 22nd anniversary at its 2nd Chinese Elite Dragon Award (CEDA) gala dinner on Dec 11, recognises Tan's decades of dedication and contributions to the nation, society, and the advancement of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Malaysia.
Tan said the award was a “tremendous recognition and affirmation from society”.
“I would like to thank my family, my team, and the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA).
“Today’s achievement is the result of collective effort. This award is both an encouragement and a responsibility. It reminds me to stay true to my purpose of bringing a positive impact to society.
“I will continue to promote vocational education, help more students transform their lives, and contribute to the community,” she said.
Over the past decade, Tan Cheng Liang has led VTAR Institute through a series of transformative reforms, successfully developing multiple high-level professional skills programmes and elevating vocational education to new heights.
Beyond education, she has contributed to society across multiple fields for nearly four decades. In addition to counselling inmates, she has provided emotional support to single mothers and helped children with developmental challenges secure better environments for growth.
CEDA, established by MCAH in 2023, aims to continuously identify and honour outstanding individuals in the Chinese community who embody excellence, leadership, and a strong sense of social responsibility.
