Campbell University has recently granted an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree to YB Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Ting, Council Chairman of Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TAR College) in recognition of his dedicated services in the field of education. The conferment of the award took place at the Campbell University’s winter graduation service at Buies Creek, North Carolina on the 13^th of December, 2008.

Dato’ Seri Ong has in him traits of perseverance, diligence, courage and compassion. In the course of his work as a politician and Council Chairman of TAR College, he has not only demonstrated these virtues but being a true leader, he has also imparted these same qualities to others. After he completed his studies at the University of Malaya and obtained a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree, he taught for a brief period. He later became a grassroots activist and speaker at Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) motivational camps and went on to state level and national politics where he was appointed the ninth President of MCA on 23^rd May 2003.

During the conferment of award, Dr Dwaine Greene, vice president for Academic Affairs and provost, said: “Dato’ Seri Ong is deeply committed to providing quality education to all Malaysians. This commitment was driven by his genuine concern for the less fortunate, and by his focus on education as a means to elevate their circumstances. In celebration of his distinguished professional accomplishments, in recognition of his exemplary service as Chairman of the TAR College Council, and in deep appreciation for his support of the Campbell University Bachelor of Science program at TAR College, the Campbell University Board of Trustees is pleased to confer upon YB Dato Seri Ong Ka Ting the Honorary Doctor of Laws.”

In his response, Dato’ Seri Ong said, “It is indeed a great honour to receive this honorary award from Campbell University today. This day signifies a strong academic relationship between Campbell University and TAR College which spans for almost three decades since it was first initiated. It is heartening to note that both TAR College and Campbell University share the same purpose and commitment. Specifically, both institutions are dedicated to help the young generation not only in their pursuit of knowledge, but also to provide a holistic development that encompasses the building of a moral and ethical character as well as professional integrity.

Campbell University and TAR College has a unique relationship in offering the Bachelor of Science benefiting as many as 11,326 TAR College students to obtain a US degree since the graduation of the first batch of students in 1981. This programme has innovatively opened up the opportunity for them to obtain an overseas qualification at an affordable cost without having to leave the shore.

Being a dynamic leader, Dato’ Seri Ong believed that pockets of people in society should not be excluded from the community nor be left out in the decision-making process because of their lower status, weaker economic standing, disabilities both physical and intellectual, gender, or demeaned political power. As such, Dato’ Seri Ong is an advocate of lifelong learning which provides these people a second or third chance to acquire new values so that they too can be part of a productive community. He launched the Lifelong Learning Campaign at KL Sentral on 8^th October 2004 to encourage Malaysians to continue learning and acquiring new skills, or improving existing skills as this would enable an individual or nation to keep up with world developments. The MCA Lifelong Learning Centre was thus established for this purpose.

Apart from that, Dato’ Seri Ong also recently set up the TARC-Toh Kim Eng Student Loan Fund at TAR College in memory of his late mother who believed in the value of education.

We at TAR College are absolutely delighted that Dato’ Seri Ong’s stewardship have been recognized by Campbell University and we believe that TAR College will continue to grow from strength to strength under his leadership for many more years to come.

Thank you Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Ting for your tremendous effort in guiding and leading us towards building a better community.