Three generous alumni of Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (‘TAR University College’) demonstrated the true philanthropic spirit by setting up three student loan funds recently with specific focus on providing financial assistance to the needy and deserving students in the Johor Branch Campus.  In appreciation of their generosity, a cheque presentation ceremony was held at TAR University College Johor Branch Campus on 21 August 2014.

    

The three alumni, namely Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Barry Goh, Dato’ Yap Kuak Fong and Dato’ Chan Wah Kiang, had each donated RM100,000 to their respective student loan funds. Named after the donors, the TARC-Tan Sri Barry Goh Student Loan, TARC-Dato’ Yap KF Student Loan and TARC-Dato’ Chan WK Student Loan will join the list of the existing study loan funds under the umbrella of TARC Student Loan Fund in TAR University College.

The three alumni are from TARCian Alumni Association with Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Barry Goh being the President whereas Dato’ Yap Kuak Fong and Dato’ Chan Wah Kiang are Deputy President and Vice President respectively. 

In the cheque presentation ceremony, the alumni presented a mock cheque to Datuk Dr Tan Chik Heok, President of TAR University College, to signify their contribution to their alma mater for a noble cause. 

In his speech, Datuk Dr Tan emphasised on the importance of student loan funds to provide financial support to the under-privileged students in their pursuit of higher education. He said: “The student loan funds serve a very important purpose of assisting students from the poorer segment of society to break the cycle of poverty through education and transform their lives. Many students from the poor socio-economic background have benefitted from the student loan funds that TAR University College provides in helping them complete their tertiary education and realise their ambitions.”

Since the inception of TARC Student Loan Fund in 1979, it has benefited more than 11,000 students, providing them with interest-free student loan with a total disbursement of RM 25 million. This is made possible with the selfless contribution of many alumni who make up 50% of the total number of 28 student loan funds available in TAR University College.  

Datuk Dr Tan expressed his hope that more alumni would contribute meaningfully to benefit the future generations. He remarked: “Today, we have our alumni, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Barry Goh, Dato’ Yap Kuak Fong and Dato’ Chan Wah Kiang, joining the list of donors who continue this act of generosity and kindness. I certainly hope that their action will inspire many other alumni to come forward to assist in setting up more student loan funds to make TAR University College education more accessible to the needy students”.