King officiates TAR UMT launch

KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah officiated the launch of Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) at its main campus in Setapak on Thursday (Jan 5) morning.

His Majesty, who was accompanied by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, commemorated the launch by touching a mirrorball which lit up as well as by signing a plaque.

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Congratulating the varsity, His Majesty paid tribute to the founders of the institution and expressed his hope that all 75 public and private universities nationwide will continue to produce students who will contribute to nation-building.

The occasion was a milestone for the full-fledged university, which was officially formed upon receiving the certificate of registration from the Higher Education Department on Nov 7 last year.

Speaking at the event, TARC Education Foundation board of trustees chairman and MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the journey ahead for the varsity would be an exciting yet crucial one in taking the institution to a higher level.

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"I sincerely call upon all our stakeholders such as our alumni, industries, the public and communities to continue your support in any form for TAR UMT to ensure this institution will be able to serve all Malaysians irrespective of race, creed or class through its quality and affordable education," he said.

He added that throughout its 54 years of establishment, the varsity had produced close to 300,000 high-flying graduates with strong industry-relevant knowledge and technical skills, as well as outstanding work ethics and values.

The university – with five branch campuses in Penang, Perak, Pahang, Johor and Sabah – started out as a community college in 1969 before being upgraded to university college status known as Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) in 2012.

Also present at the launch were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, TAR UMT board of governors chairman Tan Sri Liow Tiong Lai, TAR UMT alumni council chairman and board of governors member Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, and TAR UMT president Prof Dr Lee Sze Wei.