Tunku Abdul Rahman University College

History

In the early years since Malaysia gained independence, there was a lack of opportunities to pursue higher education for the secondary school leavers. The idea to set up an institution of higher learning was suggested by Tan Siew Sin, the President of MCA. Initially Tan suggested a Chinese-language university to be named Merdeka University, but this was rejected by the government. As a compromise, an English-medium college was proposed. In April 1968, Tan appointed a working team chaired by Khaw Kai Boh to make recommendations for the setting up of an institution of higher learning.

The blueprint was submitted to the government and received the support of the Minister of Education, Mohamed Khir Johari. The working team estimated that it would require RM 20 million to set up the college and the government agreed to provide the financial assistance on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

The Prime Minister of Malaysia, YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj had assented to the College being named after him. Hence the institution was named as Tunku Abdul Rahman College or TAR College.

TAR College began operations on 24 February 1969 with the setting-up of the School of Pre-University Studies. The initial enrolment was 764 students.

15 September 1972 witnessed the handing over of the Instrument of Government which provided the legal framework for the administration of the college. The Minister of Education, Tun Hussein Onn presented the Instrument of Government to Tan Siew Sin, the first College President.

To raise funds for the construction of a permanent campus in Kuala Lumpur, MCA launched the National Fund-Raising Campaign in 1972 to raise the funds. Lee San Choon, the Director of Publicity of MCA, spearheaded the campaign. The campaign was a success through the generosity of the MCA divisions, the guilds and associations as well as people from all walks of life.

In February 1973, the government approved the allocation of land for the construction of the Kuala Lumpur Main Campus in Setapak. The ground breaking ceremony for the construction of TAR College was officiated by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj in August 1973. The construction of the Phase 1 of TAR College included an administrative building, a library, two laboratory blocks, one lecture theatre and eight small lecture theatres, one canteen and a tutorial block which was completed in 1976. The Phase 1 Building Project was launched on 24 February 1979 in conjunction with TAR College’s 10th anniversary by Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Fund-raising activities in the 90s were led by Dr Ling Liong Sik, the TAR College Council Chairman, such as the nationwide TAR College Fund-Raising Campaign, Taxithon, Walkathon, TAR College Torch Run and Motorthon. The momentum of expansion and growth continued during the leadership of Ong Ka Ting and Dr Chua Soi Lek, who were both the then TAR College Council Chairman after Dr Ling Liong Sik. Since the upgrading to university college in 2013, TAR University College is growing under the leadership of Liow Tiong Lai, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, TARC Education Foundation and Board of Governors, TAR University College, who is also the Minister of Transport of Malaysia and incumbent President of MCA.

The latest infrastructural development is the new phase of Penang Branch Campus which was launched on 7 December 2015. The new phase of development in Penang Branch Campus comprises a three-storey library building, two four-storey faculty blocks and a twin lecture theatre hall.

This college is the favorable choice of many students who fail to enter the public university and with the unsatisfactory results.

Faculty of Accountancy, Finance & Business (FAFB)

FAFB (formerly known as the School of Business Studies) was established in 1971 under the then TAR College. With the upgrade of TAR College to TAR University College in 2013, the faculty reinforced its provision of business education particularly professional accountancy education.

It has linkages with global professional bodies, the industry and overseas universities.

Highlights:

Programmes offered at both diploma and bachelor's degree levels in the following disciplines:[9]

FAFB is the largest faculty in terms of student number at TAR University College. Its student population is close to 12,000 and they are enrolled in accounting and finance.

Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment (FEBE)

The Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment began as the School of Technology (SOT) which was set up in 1972 to provide programmes that would prepare students to sit for internationally recognised professional examinations or seek exemptions from examinations set by Professional Bodies,

Programmes offered at Diploma and bachelor's degree levels in the following disciplines:

Faculty of Applied Sciences and Computing (FASC)

The School of Arts & Science (SAS) was established in 1972. In July 2013, the faculty have changed name to Faculty of Applied Sciences and Computing (FASC).

The faculty’s Diploma and Advanced Diploma programme structures and syllabi are designed and arranged so that students will be simultaneously prepared for the TARC Advanced Diploma in conjunction with the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree of Campbell University, Buies Creek, North Carolina, United States. Campbell University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) to award Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, Education Specialist, and Doctorate degrees. The accreditation is extended to all Campbell University's programme sites, including its Bachelor of Science Degree at TARC in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

FASC has links with industry partners, scientific and academic institutions and non-governmental organisations. Through these collaborations, FASC is a Cisco Network Academy, Microsoft IT-academy, members of Microsoft Developers’Network Academic Alliance (MSDNAA) and Microsoft Dreamspark programme, Novell Academic Training Partner, IBM Academic Initiative member, Google Web Academy, SAP University Alliance and member of Altera University programme.

Programmes offered:

Faculty of Social Science, Arts and Humanities (FSAH)

The School of Social Science & Humanities(SSSH) was established in 1999. In July 2013, the faculty changed name to the Faculty of Social Science, Arts and Humanities (FSAH). The school offers programmes in mass communication, creative arts, social science and hospitality management.

Programmes offered:

Centre for Pre-University Studies (CPUS)

The Centre for Pre-University Studies (formerly known as School of Pre-University Studies) or CPUS in short, was established in 1969 and is the pioneer school, offers four programmes and all four programmes are MQA accredited. They are:

CPUS is a Cambridge International A Level Science centres. At every examination session, more than 30 percent of the A Level students have been able to achieve results of at least A, A, B grades and especially in the sciences and mathematics subjects.

Centre for Postgraduate Studies and Research (CPSR)

CPSR was established in October 2013 to provide infrastructure and support to TAR UC to conduct postgraduate-level programmes and to assist academic staff in pursuance of scholarly research activities. The centre is tasked with the admission of the University College’s postgraduate students, i.e. those students studying for Master’s (by coursework, mixed mode and research programmes), PhD and other graduate qualifications.

The centre serves as the Research Management Centre of TAR UC and manages the research grants such as internal and external grants of TAR UC^[24]. In 2014, TAR UC secured three FRGS grants from Ministry of Education, totaling RM376,400.00 for 2014-2016. FRGS stands for “Fundamental Research Grant Scheme” which funds the exploration of new ideas, concepts or theories.

Centre for Nation Building & Languages (CNBL)

CNBL was established as part of the changes brought about with the upgrading of TAR College to TAR University College (TAR UC) in May 2013. CNBL offers a range of English and foreign language courses, as well as general studies courses known as Mata Pelajaran Pengajian Umum to TAR UC students.

While CNBL was established on 1 October 2013 under its current name, it is not a new entity. Its functions have been carried out since 1996 when it was known then as the Extra-Mural Studies Department, which housed the Division of Languages and the Division of Nation Building and Unity Studies. In 2009, both divisions were amalgamated with the Faculty of Social Science, Arts and Humanities (formerly known as the School of Social Science and Humanities). However, with the newly acquired status of TAR UC in 2013, the two divisions were split from the main faculty of studies to form CNBL. Both divisions have then been renamed as the Division of English and Foreign Languages and the Division of Mata Pelajaran Pengajian Umum.

Sports facilities

TARC Main Campus has sports facilities, including a sports complex. Netted tennis courts are available at the rooftop, and the interior is used as badminton or basketball courts. There is an Olympic-size swimming pool, a learner's pool, a gymnasium and squash courts in the club. Outdoor fields are available for football, basketball, futsal, and volleyball.

Library

TARC library is a three-storey building with Infoweb system that helps students locate books easily. Internet computers are available. There are rooms for study, discussion and individual study areas.

Accommodation

A path beside the Sports Complex leads to TARC Hostel. The ten blocks of five-storey-buildings can accommodate 2000 students. The rooms are twin-sharing. Seven of the blocks are for female students, while the other blocks are for male students.

Transportation

The college offers a bus service to areas in the vicinity.

Computing facilities

Besides the internet computers in the library, more can be found in the Communication and Information Technology Centre of the Kuala Lumpur Main Campus.

Wi-Fi hotspots are spread all across the college, with popular spots being the library, canteens, and certain blocks.

Notable Alumni

TARUC has produced many notable alumni that have contributed significantly towards the development of Malaysia and abroad.