King praises TAR UMT’s feat

KUALA LUMPUR: The success of Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) in producing close to 300,000 alumni over its 54 years of establishment is a proud accomplishment, says Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

Congratulating the varsity on its launch yesterday, His Majesty paid tribute to the institution’s founders, especially former MCA president, the late Tun Tan Siew Sin, and Malaysia’s first premier, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, who had played an instrumental role in establishing the institution.

TAR UMT started out as TAR College in 1969 before being upgraded to university college status known as Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) in 2012.

The launch yesterday was yet another milestone for the full-fledged university, which was officially formed upon receiving the certificate of registration by the Higher Education Department on Nov 7 last year.

His Majesty, who officiated the launch at the varsity’s main campus in Setapak here, said the university’s current student population of about 29,000 in six campuses – including five branch campuses in Penang, Perak, Pahang, Johor and Sabah – was also a significant number.

“I am the chancellor of several universities. This student population number is big compared to that of other universities.

“I hope all 75 public and private universities nationwide will continue to produce students who will contribute to nation-building,” said His Majesty before commemorating the launch and signing a plaque.

His Majesty was accompanied by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.

A 54-year trip: TAR UMT alumnus Yeow Teck Chai (second from left) presenting his painting – showing the institution’s journey from a college to a university college and now a full-fledged university – to the King and Queen. Looking on are (from left) Dr Wee, Chan, Liow and Mohamed Khaled.

Speaking at the event, TARC Education Foundation board of trustees chairman and MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong appealed for the government to continue allocating matching grants to TAR UMT – just as the late Tun Hussein Onn had done when he was the education minister through the special government instrument he presented to Parliament on Aug 22, 1972, pledging the government’s “ringgit-to-ringgit” support for the institution to provide low-cost education to Malaysians.

Dr Wee added that starting from 2013, a matching grant ceiling of RM60mil per year had been channelled to the institution, which was built under the Second Malaysia Plan (1971-1975).

“Since 1969 to 2022, this institution has received matching grants and development allocations with a cumulative total of RM1.5bil,” he said.

Moving forward, Dr Wee said TAR UMT, which is able to contribute to the Asean Digital Master Plan, would expand the skills areas previously offered by the institution by focusing on nurturing and developing youths in preparation for the rapidly changing times.

At the same time, the varsity aimed to become an excellent educational centre for honing talent, thereby contributing significantly to the development of various industries, as well as the socio-economic well-being of Malaysia in particular, and Asean in general, he added.

He also assured that the varsity would keep to its lifelong principle of providing affordable quality education which meets international standards to all Malaysians, irrespective of their religious or racial backgrounds.

“A model that emphasises the spirit of unity and love for the needy is emphasised in the entire management system and operation of TAR UMT,” he said.

In a message uploaded on his Facebook page after the event, Dr Wee recorded his appreciation to Their Majesties for gracing the event.

“The upgrade to TAR UMT is a significant milestone for this education institution. We promise to continue our contribution to the people, the nation, as well as the region, with persistence and enthusiasm.

“Thank you to the entire community of TAR UMT, including staff, students, and parents, the Higher Education Ministry, the Finance Ministry, government agencies, NGOs, education associations, and our media friends for their contributions to making TAR UMT what it is today.

“Here’s wishing TAR UMT great success for many years to come,” he wrote.

In a separate post, Dr Wee added that he had chaired the board of trustees meeting at the varsity after the launch.

“We discussed the plans for the university’s future development to ensure that it will continue to grow as an education institution after its upgrade to university status to train more talents in different fields.

“MCA has always held on to the spirit of professionalism in supporting and helping the management team create a better learning environment for both the teaching staff and the students,” he said.

Also present at the launch were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin – who was the higher education minister when TAR College was upgraded to university college status in 2012 – 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.