Mini Malaysia on campus

Datuk Chong Sin Woon MCA Secretary-general Bachelor of Economics,1999

THE day he got his acceptance letter to UKM ranks as one of Datuk Chong Sin Woon’s happiest ones.

“It also meant so much as I was the only one among my seven siblings who made it to a public university,” recalled the MCA secretary-general.

His siblings couldn’t go to university as their family was poor then, but later a sister also furthered her studied in New Zealand as things improved.

Furthermore, Chong had been impressed by the performance of a multiracial UKM cultural troupe when he was in sixth form.

“For some reason, I thought that since their performance was so good, UKM must surely be an awesome place,” reminisced Chong who picked UKM as the top choice in his university application.

To Chong, studying in UKM was a blessing for it moulded his life.

“From the Orientation week to my last day on campus, it was a massive experience as every day was a learning curve,” he said. From taking part in campus elections to joining student activities, he enjoyed every moment.

It was at UKM that the former Deputy Education Minister learnt to broaden his perspectives.

“I met many people with different attributes and attitudes.

“A Chinese from Penang and Sabah can have completely different opinions on matters such as vernacular schools and religion,” he added.

Chong, who was UKM Chinese Community Council (CCC) president, an umbrella body looking a ftertheaffairs of Chinese students, said he learnt a lot about race relations and why continuous efforts need to be made to strengthen ties between all ethnic groups.

“That was the most important lesson I learnt in UKM as we worked on resolving racial and religious issues.

“UKM was like a mini Malaysia and I am so glad that my time there made me appreciate my identity as a Malaysian,” he said.

As CCC president, Chong led in organising big events such as Pesta Tanglung and Pesta Ang Pow.

“We worked with other cultural societies to make these grand events a success.

“The programmes were diverse and dynamic and helped instil the give and take spirit among students,” he said.

Chong hopes that UKM will continue to shape the nation.

“UKM should continue to promote its identity as the national university and remain a beacon of unity.

“It should continue to instil and inspire every student who walks through its hallowed halls to be proud Malaysians,” he added.