Tunku Abdul Rahman University

Infobox University
name = Tunku Abdul Rahman University
native_name = Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman


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established = 2002
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type = Private
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chairman = YABhg Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik
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president = Professor Engr. Dato' Dr. Chuah Hean Teik
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city = Kampar
state = Perak
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country = Malaysia
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campus = Setapak, Petaling Jaya, Sg. Long, Kampar
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affiliations = Malaysian Chinese Association
website = http://www.utar.edu.my

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Tunku Abdul Rahman University ( _ms. Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman) (UTAR) is a private university in Malaysia.

History

Prior to the establishment of UTAR, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) was already running Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC), also known as Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman (KTAR). However, on the 5th of July 2001, Malaysia's Minister of Education, YB Tan Sri Musa Mohamad, invited the MCA to establish UTAR. A steering committee, chaired by YABhg Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik was formed to draw up a blueprint. A working committee led by YBhg Tan Sri Dr Ng Lay Swee, who was then the Principal of TARC, prepared the working papers for the formation of the University.

In order to ensure that the institution conformed to international standards of higher education, as well as to foster academic affiliations, the International Advisory Council (IAC) consisting of eminent scholars and scientists was established. With this array of distinguished scholars and scientists, UTAR has since then been working towards building a strong international base for its research programmes and courses of studies. The historic inaugural meeting of the IAC chaired by Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, Chairman of UTAR Council, took place on 15 April 2002 .

On 10 June 2002, UTAR welcomed its first intake of 411 students to its Petaling Jaya Campus. On 13 August 2002, YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad, then Prime Minister of Malaysia, officially launched UTAR.

Campuses

The university started out with a single campus in Section 13, Petaling Jaya, in a former newspaper printing facility owned by The Star. Located in the middle of a bustling industrial area, the site was meant to serve as a temporary location pending the construction of a dedicated campus in Setapak next to TAR College grounds. However, as of 2007, the Petaling Jaya campus is still operational despite the completion of the Setapak site. The Petaling Jaya site consists of several buildings (some of which are non-adjacent) that house an administrative office, as well as Faculties for ICT, Arts and Social Science.

Another campus was purchased at Sg. Long, near Kajang, where the Faculty of Accountancy and Management expended to from its site at Petaling Jaya. The Setapak campus now houses the Faculty of Engineering and Science.

The main campus is located in Kampar, Perak and is surrounded by lush greenery as well as lakes. The first batch of students to undergo their degree programs in the Kampar campus were admitted in May 2007.

Academic Programs

The main difference between UTAR and TAR College is that while the highest certificate offered by TAR College is an Advanced Diploma (Some of the Advanced Diploma courses have been accredited and recognised by the Malaysia Government as equavalent to a Bachelor's Degree, and students of all courses can opt to top-up their Honours Degree in a 3-month semester at overseas affiliates), UTAR offers programs at various levels from pre-university certificates to doctorates. UTAR's plan includes a Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, which will among others, conduct medical degree courses. However, as of February 2008, there has been no announcement as to when the faculty will commence operation.

Faculties

The locations may change within few years time as most programmes will be switched to the main campus.

Other Academic Departments

The locations may change within few years time as most programmes will be switched to the main campus.

References

1. [http://www.utar.edu.my/ Official website]

External links

* [http://richyyc.googlepages.com/MapKamparCampus.htm "Utar Map- (Kampar Campus)"]
* [http://richyyc.googlepages.com/utardevelopment.html "Richard's guide to UTAR Campus, Kampar - interactive 3d & panorama view (latest Update)"]