Liow: TAR UC hopeful of gaining university status

Leadership quality: Liow (fourth from right) and TAR UC president Prof Dr Lee Sze Wei (third from right) talking with graduates after TAR UC’s first convocation of the year 2019 at its Kuala Lumpur campus.

KUALA LUMPUR: Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) is confident of achieving university status in the near future despite facing many constraints, including the government not giving its RM30mil annual matching grant, said Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

The Board of Governors chairman said TAR UC had not wavered from its commitment of providing quality and affordable education to young Malaysians over the past 50 years.

The institution, he added, was applying to become a full-fledged university.

“Although we have many constraints, such as not getting the government grant, the institution strives to produce quality graduates and continuously provide affordable and quality education.

“We also intend to recruit more international students,” said Liow, expressing his hope that the government would provide a grant.

He said TAR UC, which turns 50 next month, was governed by a professional management team and supported by dedicated staff.

“Since its inception in 1969, it has carved its name in becoming a highly-acclaimed institution by the industry and academia for its strong academic strength.

“The success of our 200,000 graduates in every corner of the world is a testament to its education quality,” he said in his speech during TAR UC’s convocation ceremony here yesterday.

TAR UC, said Liow, had also built a strong profile with global recognition from renowned professional bodies and prestigious universities.

“It is the only institution in the world to conduct the Internally Assessed ACCA Fundamentals programme. We are also ACCA’s Platinum Approved Learning Partner, placing TAR UC among the world’s top 5% of ACCA tuition providers.

“TAR UC is the first – and currently, the only higher learning institution in Malaysia – to be granted the Graduate Gateway status by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, the world’s leading professional marketing body,” he said.

TAR UC, said Liow, was also conferred the Premier Digital Tech University status from the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation and the Education Ministry, signifying that it was the preferred institution for future digital talent.

The three-day convocation at TAR UC’s main campus in Kuala Lumpur beginning yesterday saw 3,470 students receiving their scrolls.

Liow said TAR UC’s Merit Scholarship, which provides a 100% fee waiver to academically excellent students, had benefitted nearly 23,000 students who received RM100mil in total.

“Last year, 2,105 students were awarded this scholarship worth a total of RM17.9mil,” he said, adding that TAR UC also provided interest-free student loans benefiting 8,703 students since 1979 with over RM34mil disbursed.

He also called on TAR UC alumni to join its 50th anniversary celebration on March 16 and 17.

Those who wish to attend the celebration can register at www.tarc.edu.my.

For more information, contact Chan Choon Kit at 016-213 7766 or e-mail [e-mail] or Serene Ong at 03-4145 3456 or e-mail [e-mail].