Kuala Lumpur, 13 May, 2011 - UCSI University celebrated its 25th birthday in a private ceremony at its Kuala Lumpur Campus this morning as part of its 18 month long celebrations since January this year. The occasion not only marked its silver jubilee but also commemorated its founder, Dato’ Peter Ng, as well as staff and students who had made the University to what it is today. 

During the ceremony, UCSI University founder and chairman Dato’ Peter Ng, together with his wife, Datin Lily Ng, the leadership team, and long-serving University staff members, cut a 2.5 meter long cake as a symbol of the University’s 25 years of success.

Dato’ Peter and Datin Lily then released an 18-foot wide, bright red balloon, to share the celebrations with its surrounding community. The blimp-shaped balloon also symbolises the University’s upward climb to its milestone anniversary, as well as its plans to soar even higher in the future. 

“Today, we are celebrating not just a birthday, but a milestone, and a journey which started 25 years ago with one man, and a dream. With true grit, determination and strong faith, Dato’ Peter Ng was able to transform his dream into the reality we know today as UCSI University and UCSI Group,” said Ms Margaret Soo, Vice President, Group Corporate Affairs in her welcome note.

With a humble beginning as a computer science institute, dedicated staff under the leadership of Dato’ Peter Ng had worked hard for the Institute to be awarded the College status in 1989 and subsequently its University status in 2008, to become what it is known as today, UCSI University.

“Today we are celebrating, not just a passage of time, but the very principles upon which this university was founded: audacity, perseverance, integrity and excellence. These are values that have led us through our first 25 years, and which will continue to lead us through the next 25,” she beamed. 

Dato’ Peter and Datin Lily also received a surprise from the University’s student council as a token of appreciation from the students, as well as staff of the Student Affairs Office. The two-tier cake was presented by Student Council President, Balamurugan Radhakrishnan, and Deputy President, Joseph Chong, together with the members of the Council.

Also at the occasion to heighten the celebrative atmosphere was Fresco Harmonica Ensemble. Fresco was formed in 2006 by our very own UCSI University alumnus, Soon Hock Chuan, who graduated from the University with a diploma in contemporary music in 2007. It also includes fellow alumna Choon Seet Yee, who graduated with a degree in contemporary music in 2010. The group also contains fellow members Koh Keng Hong and Liew Chzen Khee. The Group arose as champions for the ‘Harmonica Group’ and ‘Harmonica Duo’ competitions held during the World Harmonica Festival in Trossingen, Germany in 2009, besides obtaining many others awards. http://frescoharmonica.com/about/the-team/

The birthday celebration ended with a time of fellowship as everyone enjoyed a slice of cake.

As part of its rolling 25th anniversary celebrations throughout the year, UCSI University will be hosting a Carnival with Ricoh next Saturday, May 21, from 9.00a.m. to 3.00 p.m.at its North Wing premises. The day will be event-packed with games, performances, food offerings, talks and give-aways. It will also feature the cultures from all three of the University’s campuses, including a life-size replica of a Sarawak longhouse, with craft demonstrations from Sarawak and Terengganu. The Carnival will also include lots of fun, physical activities such as rock-climbing, an inflatable playground, and scuba diving.