 Wednesday June 2, 2010
By CHARLES FERNANDEZ
LIMKOKWING University of Creative Technology (LUCT) founder Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing was conferred with an award making him the Honorary Lifetime President of the Lim Association of Malaysia and also an award for the world’s first university founded by a Lim.
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He received the awards in a simple yet meaningful ceremony at the LUCT in Cyberjaya here witnessed by the Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
At the same event, the Foundation of Lim Association announced the opening of new branches of Lim Associations at Cyberjaya and Putrajaya, aimed at uniting all Chinese in Malaysia with the surname of “Lim”, and to foster partnerships to create business opportunities.
All smiles: A cheerful Lim (fourth from left) after receiving the award.
The ‘Lim’ clan started some 3,000 years ago when a person named Lin Jian was awarded the surname of Lim by the first king of the Zhou Dynasty in 1092 BC.
Of the estimated six million people of Chinese descent in Malaysia, about 800,000 have the Lim surname.
Liow said Lim Kok Wing had brought many contributions to the country in the areas of creativity and innovation.
“We trust that LUCT can bring more innovation and creativity to the country and bring Malaysia to greater heights. We all know that you are an extraordinary man who brings changes,’’ said Liow in his speech.
Meanwhile, Lim, in his acceptance speech, said, “I am speechless on receiving this award. I am deeply touched and shall try my best to measure up. I do see this as one of the more meaningful awards I have received, one that-will give me a lot of pride.”
“My parents would be very happy if they were here today. I certainly did not plan to be the first Lim in the world to establish a university. But it is good to know we are ahead of the millions of Lims in China and across the world.”
Lim stressed the accomplishment that he gained should be shared by all other communities in the country in the spirit of 1 Malaysia.
“As the first varsity bearing the surname of Lim, it will continue to move forward,’’ added Lim.
Lim also announced a RM10mil scholarship fund under the Limkokwing Foundation as a move to sponsor Chinese students in the acquisition of smart skills and it was not limited to children from the Lim Assocation, but was open to any qualified student.
He had also recently presented RM1.8mil worth of scholarships to the Federation of Lim Associations, to ensure a better future for the Lim generations and he wished that the younger generation would be educated on culture and the importance of education.
Early this year, Lim became the sole non-Muslim to be awarded the International Contribution to Humanity and Philanthropy award by the Ramadhan Foundation.
In 2005, Lim was named the Ernst & Young Malaysian Entrepreneur of the Year for his extraordinary efforts to improve international humanitarian relations, build human capability and enhance cross-cultural understanding for the world.
----- Source: The Star Online |
