WOU’s Founding Chancellor Tun Dato’ Seri Utama Dr Lim Chong Eu has accepted re-appointment for another three-year term commencing from today.
DATO’ SERI STEPHEN YEAP PRESENTS THE MACE TO TUN DR LIM AT THE INSTALLATION CEREMONY IN 2008.
The entire WOU learning community welcomes this wonderful news as Tun Lim is a truly distinguished gentleman of immense intellect and great wisdom besides being a great statesman. He has also left a significant imprint and influence over the growth of higher learning in Malaysia.
As Chief Minister of Penang from 1969-1990, Tun Lim has contributed tremendously towards the socio-economic development of the state and the nation. For his immense service and contributions to society he received numerous awards and honours, among which are the order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver from Emperor Akihito of Japan, the Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negeri (DUPN) from TYT Governor of Penang and the Seri Makhota Malaysia (SSM) from the Yang Di Pertuan Agong which carries the title ‘Tun’. In addition, Tun Lim has been conferred Honorary Doctorates by Universiti Sains Malaysia as well as his alma mater Edinburgh University.
TUN LIM DURING HIS OFFICIAL INSTALLATION AS WOU FOUNDING CHANCELLOR.
Chairman of WOU Council, Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik, remarked that Tun Lim has honoured WOU by accepting this re-appointment. He said, “As the driver of the modernisation and industrialisation of Penang when he became the Chief Minister in 1969, he has attracted huge foreign direct investment and created thousands of jobs.” He added that WOU was set up in Penang to “complement Tun Lim’s efforts by providing flexible, affordable and accessible opportunities for the country’s workforce to improve their knowledge and skills through distance learning to move up the value chain. As the Chancellor, we look forward to him for guidance towards achieving this goal.”
Wawasan Education Foundation (WEF) Chairman Dato’ Seri Stephen Yeap described Tun Lim as “a far-sighted visionary and one of Penang’s greatest treasures”. He stated, “Tun Lim’s passion propelled this State to great heights at a time of crisis and struggle. He belonged to a rare breed of politicians with a formidable intellect and a great sense of selflessness. For me personally, he has been a kind mentor and a good friend, and I am truly confident WOU will continue to flourish under his wise counsel.”
FROM LEFT: DATO’ SERI STEPHEN YEAP, TUN DR LIM KENG YAIK, TUN LIM AND TAN SRI EMERITUS PROF GAJARAJ DHANARAJAN.
WOU founding Vice Chancellor (2005-2009) Tan Sri Emeritus Prof Gajaraj Dhanarajan declared, “The WEF exercised its right with insight and wisdom in re-appointing Tun Lim as the Chancellor of WOU for a second term. Very few leaders in our country bring the stature and respect to the office as Tun Lim does.”
Meanwhile WOU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Wong Tat Meng welcomed the re-appointment stating that “Tun Lim Chong Eu’s continuous quest for knowledge and his visionary ideas will inspire the whole Wawasan Open University to greater heights as a Centre of Excellence for Open Distance Learning and the Preferred Partner for all adult learners and their employers seeking to enhance productivity in the workplace.”
Wawasan Open University is rapidly gaining a high reputation as a university offering quality tertiary education to working adults through open distance learning. The re-appointment of Tun Lim as Chancellor adds significantly to this development.
