UTAR Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) academics Prof Dr S. Sumathi and Assoc Prof Ir Ts Dr Leong Kah Hon, and Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FAS) academic Dr Surindar Kaur Gurmukh Singh were awarded “National Outstanding Researcher Award (University Category)”, “National Outstanding Young Educator Award” and “Long Service Award (30 Years and Above in Teaching Profession)” respectively at the Private Education Excellence Awards 2022, held on 24 November 2022 at M Resort & Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
The annual event was organised by the Private Education Cooperative of Malaysia (EduCoop). Held for the seventh time, this award ceremony aimed to recognise outstanding private educators from all private institutions in Malaysia under the categories of teaching, science, arts and design, engineering, research and innovation, and humanities.
A total of 210 applicants applied for the eight awards awarded in the EduCoop.
Prof Sumathi shared her joy and said, “I feel honoured to be awarded as the National Outstanding Researcher under the Private University Category. This award shall motivate me to work towards a greater height in research and development. Being recognised as a national outstanding researcher among the private institutions has further boosted the acceptance of my role as an academic and researcher among the public and professional academicians.”
On the other hand, Dr Leong said, “I was surprised to receive an email from the organiser notifying me that I was the award recipient. I feel very honoured to receive the National Outstanding Young Educator Award. This award will surely boost my morale and further motivate me to continue to be a proactive and engaged educator. I strongly believe that only with strong engagement with my students will I be able to deliver my lectures more effectively. Furthermore, this amazing accomplishment will continue to motivate me in my community engagement, especially in promoting STEM and education in the rural community. This is an incredible milestone in my journey as an educator.”
Reflecting on the Long Service Award from EduCoop, Dr Surindar enthused, “I am delighted and humbled to have received this award. I always saw myself in the shoes of an educator. Starting as a preschool teacher equipped with only an SPM certificate in the 80’s and providing home tuition to both primary and secondary school children while applying for a placement at the Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) year after year, I faced rejection after rejection. In 1990, I attended training that qualified me to become a special needs educationist under the umbrella of the Perak Association for the Mentally Handicapped, a non-governmental organisation. Here, I trained the special needs children. In the late 90’s, I made another switch. I joined a language centre and began educating learners from various levels while continuing to provide home tuition. In 2004, having settled down and with a family, despite never in my wildest dream having thought of stepping foot at the prestigious University of Malaya, I took up a professional diploma in early childhood education. The need to impart knowledge pragmatically made me continue with my undergraduate studies in 2006. Majoring in the teaching of English as a second language, I completed a three years programme within two. Having graduated, I achieved another milestone by joining a private college in Ipoh as a lecturer. The following year, I registered for my Master’s of Education. In 2015, I took another big leap by registering for my doctorate studies when I joined UTAR. I am in the education industry for about 35 years now, I will continue to rock as my profession is merely what I love doing as told by Confucius. I chose a job I love, and I need never have to work a day in my life.”
Online Education Fair 线上教育展
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)
拉曼大学 (優大)
https://edufair.fsi.com.my/utar
