University life is often measured by lectures, assignments and examinations. Yet some of its most enduring lessons are learnt beyond textbooks – in the form of spirited club recruitment drives along walkways, sports practices unfolding beneath the evening sky, or through the shared responsibility of rebuilding a club from near silence.
At UTAR, campus life plays a central role in shaping well-rounded graduates who are not only academically capable, but grounded in teamwork, resilience, cultural pride and a holistic outlook. Each opportunity on campus is an invitation for students to step beyond the classroom and into potentially unforgettable engagements that shape both competence and character.
Some days, when evening falls over Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik at UTAR Kampar campus, you will be greeted with various sightings of club activities.
Among the possibilities, you might encounter youths in casual sportswear, moving with measured grace – some flowing gently, others erupting with speed and force – each motion precise and deliberate. Nearby, others don protective gear, engaging in controlled exchanges where discipline guides every strike and evasive step. The muffled thuds of contact fill the air, revealing a different dimension of wushu: one rooted in choreographed elegance, the other in realism and resilience.
Carrying this impression, you wander past the bridge along the main campus road to the Learning Complex 1 (Block B). There, dancing lions in vivid hues leap to life, while a towering dragon weaves through the air, hoisted by coordinated hands. Although the atmosphere differs from the hall’s intensity, the same discipline and unity prevail nonetheless, transforming familiar campus spaces into stages where heritage is preserved, performed, and passed on.
It becomes clear that the scenes from both venues belong to the same collective: the long-standing UTAR Kampar campus Wushu Club.
The UTAR Kampar campus Wushu Club was established in 2007. What started as a group of passionate Chinese martial arts aficionados quickly diverged into three main divisions following a swift expansion of talents and an evolution of passion, including the Lion and Dragon Dance division, the Sanda division and the Taiji Pushing Hand and Contemporary Wushu division – now comprising over 150 members.
Since its inception, the club has participated in countless competitions and achieved remarkable results with its diverse and evolving pool of talents, including the UTAR Wushu Championship, Sanda King Open, LFC Cup Selangor Wushu Invitation Championship, International Wushu Tournament and Online Hero Wushu Competition and TAR UMT Cup Traditional Southern Lion Dance Invitational Competition.
The club’s presence outside the campus grounds is just as active and impactful, showcasing discipline, resilience and cultural pride through not only competitive platforms, but also community engagements – extending the university’s spirit of giving back to society as a conduit for heritage preservation and character building.
Juggling academic commitments while overseeing the club’s diverse divisions is no small feat. Yet for the UTAR Kampar campus Wushu Club chairperson Kong Shao Xuan, the responsibility is not a burden, but a journey of shared growth – one marked by pride, perseverance and belonging.
As a senior Business Administration programme student at Kampar campus, Kong has witnessed the club’s ups and downs since joining the club in the post-pandemic period in 2022. Fascinated by the playful artistry of lion dance from a young age, the Wushu Club became his gateway into the world of art.
When asked about his motivation to focus on both the life of a lion dancer and a student, he shared his joy in witnessing the growth of his favourite community.
“During the time I joined this club, the number of members was low and club activities were very limited, as everyone was recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“However, due to my persistent enthusiasm for Chinese culture, I chose to remain active in the club and learned as much as I could.
“Over time, I witnessed the club’s growth first-hand from an almost empty storeroom to a stage where storage space has actually become a concern due to the increasing equipment, participation and activities.”
He added, “It is great to witness the club gradually growing stronger, with more members joining our family and activities becoming increasingly active with each semester.
“Being part of this journey gives me a strong sense of belonging and fulfilment, as I know my commitment during the less active period contributed – even in small steps – to the club’s current progress. I hope it can maintain this flowing momentum and develop sustainably, growing even stronger than before.”
UTAR offers over 140 programmes from Foundation studies to Bachelor, Master’s and PhD degrees in Accounting, Business, Finance and Economics, Actuarial Science, Mathematics and Process Management, Agriculture and Food Science, Arts, Social Sciences and Education, Chinese Studies, Creative Industries, Digital Animation, Multimedia and Design, Engineering and Built Environment, Information and Communication Technology, Life and Physical Sciences, and Medicine and Health Sciences.
Visit UTAR Open Day on April 4-5, 25-26 from 9am to 4.30pm at both Kampar and Sungai Long campuses. For more information, go to http://www.utar.edu.my/or call 05-468 8888 (Kampar campus), 03- 9086 0288 (Sungai Long campus).
