Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (English: Tunku Abdul Rahman University, simplified Chinese: 拉曼大学; traditional Chinese: 拉曼大學; pinyin: Lāmàn Dàxué, acronym: UTAR) is a private, coeducational university based in Malaysia. Established in 2001, it is renowned for courses such as business, finance, accounting, medicine, Chinese medicine, science, and journalism.

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. Today, UTAR has over 16,000 students pursuing 78 programmes in nine faculties spread over four campuses.

Ir. Professor Dato' Dr Chuah Hean Teik has appointed as the new president/CEO to succeed Ybhg Tan Sri Dr Ng Lay Swee from April 2008 after she retired.

On 15 January 2010, UTAR signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Ministry of Health(MOH) to use government hospitals and clinics as teaching and training facilities at a signing ceremony held at the University's Petaling Jaya Campus.Firstly, it was the signing of agreement between the University and the Ministry of Health, an agreement which will see the use government hospitals and health clinics by UTAR as teaching and training hospitals for its students from its Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.Secondly, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education Dr. Hou was present at the ceremony to hand over the approval from his Ministry for the University to offer its first medical degree programme - UTAR Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S).The University's new faculty to offer its first medical degree programme in May 2010.

On 14 October 2010, UTAR is set to offer the Bachelor of Chinese Medicine (Hons) programme at its Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) in UTAR Sungai Long campus after receiving the approval to conduct the degree programme in English and Chinese from the Ministry of Higher Education.^[1].

Campuses

Petaling Jaya Campus

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 houses UTAR's administrative departments, Faculty of Creative Industries, Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research, Centre for Extension Education, and Centre for Foundation Studies. The Petaling Jaya campus also has a canteen, the canteen foods are unbelievable 'delicious'.

Sungai Long Campus

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 Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences established at this campus on November 16, 2009 will start its first intake in May 2010^[2].

Kuala Lumpur Campus

The Kuala Lumpur campus in Setapak now houses the Faculty of Engineering and Science. The campus has a total floor space of 200,000 square feet (19,000 m²) and is located next to the Tunku Abdul Rahman College.

Perak Campus

In 2003, the university acquired a 1,300-acre (5.3 km²) piece of land in Kampar which is donated by the Perak State Government. By May 2007, the Perak campus received its first batch of students and was turned into the university's main campus. Surrounded by lakes and rolling hills, the campus is renowned for its seamless blend of modern and aesthetically designed architecture among the lush greeneries of nature.

The campus features state-of-the-art facilities that includes a 3-level main library, lecture theaters, engineering workshops, aerobic and dance studio, gymnasium and a sports complex. Located away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the campus houses the Faculty of Arts and Social Science, Faculty of Business and Finance, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology and Faculty of Science.

Academics

Admission and enrollment

UTAR has a large student population representing all 14 states of Malaysia. Students of UTAR participate in a variety of educational opportunities. There are a total of 53 undergraduate studies offered with a number of postgraduate and foundation programs. Admissions do not consider the financial situation of the students.

Difference from Tunku Abdul Rahman College

The main difference between UTAR and TAR College is that while UTAR offers local programs at various levels from pre-university certificates to doctorates, TAR College offers pathways to overseas degrees and professional qualifications. These include the only internally assessed ACCA program outside UK and Ireland and the prestigious ACCA Platinum status. Students may also opt to study for a Bachelor in Science from Campbell University in USA simultaneously. TAR College's Advanced Diplomas offers students the opportunity to top-up to an Honours Degree at affiliated UK Universities by completing a 3 months semester.

Academic Strengths

UTAR has international affiliations and collaboration with several overseas universities and research centres.

To keep up with the institution's commitment to high quality of education, a panel of External Examiners comprising well-known academics from several prestigious universities such as University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Harvard University and University of Sydney has been established.

An Adjunct Faculty comprising eminent scholars and prominent industry practitioners to contribute to the advancement of teaching, learning and research at the University^[3] was also set up.

Rankings

By 2010, the university is ranked 1255 in the World University Ranking. On the QS Asian University Rankings, which was based on international faculty reviews, UTAR was placed at 221.

In 2011, the university is ranked 2870 in the 4icu.org University Ranking^[4].

Facilities

YTL Communications has signed a MoA (Memorandum of Agreement) with UTAR (Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman) Kampar, Perak to offer in-campus WiMAX coverage on 27 July 2010.^[5]

Graduates

According to UTAR president Prof Datuk Dr Chuah Hean Teik had said that more than 90% of UTAR graduates were employed within the first six months of completing their studies.
Over 1,000 companies have accepted UTAR students for industrial training, among the companies are The Star and other local newspapers, Petronas, Intel Technology Sdn Bhd, Altera Corp (M) Sdn Bhd, Citibank Bhd, Maxis and many more.^[6]

Faculties & Institute

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

Former Faculty

Other Academic Departments

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

Research & Research Centres

UTAR has recently been setting up Research Centres to gear up the research abilities among the lecturers and students. A Research Centre consists of a substantial group of University scholars whose integrated research addresses a set of problems of major theoretical, empirical, or applied significance, and which has achieved international recognition. The Centre may be organised as a set of closely linked clusters or research streams, often involving collaboration across disciplines and departments. Recognition as the Centre signals the excellence of the research group and leverages infrastructural support for the research conducted by the group. Such centres provide unique training opportunities for students, and may support coordination of activities not readily undertaken within the University's department structure.

Please visit UTAR Research Portal for more information. http://research.utar.edu.my/centres/index.jsp

Student life

Student organizations

The university has 18 course based societies, 16 non-course based societies, 6 performing & creative groups, 5 recreation and sports groups, 3 voluntary groups as well as 5 martial arts clubs.

Controversies

In 2009, the university came under the spotlight in the press when three of its students drowned at the Batu Berangkai waterfalls.

Recognition & Achievements

• UTAR has been awarded the MSC Malaysia Status Institution by the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC).
• Awarded ‘Excellence in Increasing Student Enrolment (2003-2005) for Private Institutions of Higher Learning with University Status’ by the Ministry of Higher Education.
• In cultivating a strong research culture, UTAR has been successful in obtaining grants from various sources such as the ScienceFund from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Malaysia Electricity Supply Industry Trust Account Fund (MESITA), the Scientific Advancement Fund Allocation (SAGA) Grant, the Malaysia Toray Science Foundation Research Grant and grants from various private organisations.
• UTAR graduates have received scholarships to pursue Master’s and PhD studies in established universities such as University of Cambridge in the UK, Australian National University, University of Nottingham in Ningbo, China and National University of Singapore. Besides that, graduates have been awarded the Erasmus Mundus Masters Scholarships to study at several European universities.
• UTAR was selected as the first private university in Malaysia to host the launch of Microsoft products – express editions for Microsoft Visual Studio 2005, Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and Biz Talk Server 2006 – and to adopt the Microsoft. Net curriculum into its ICT programmes.
• UTAR Chinese Studies students won the 2005 and 2006 Chinese Bridge-Chinese Proficiency Competition for College Students, organised by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and represented Malaysia in the final competition in China.
• A team of students from the Faculty of Accountancy and Management emerged as Champions of the CIMA Management Accounting Business Challenge 2006.
• In 2006, a Biotechnology student won the Standards Essay Writing Competition which was organised by the Department of Standards Malaysia and Malaysian Association of Standards Users.
• A group of students from the Faculty of Arts and Social Science were awarded the Best Short Film Award (Open Category) in Multimedia University Movie Society (MUMOS) Film Festival 2006/07.
• UTAR students emerged as National Champions during the L’Oreal e-Strat Challenge 2007 (undergraduate category).
• Two students from the Faculty of Engineering and Science won a total of six gold medals, a silver medal and a bronze medal during the Multimedia University (MMU) Swimming Tournament 2007. One of them also received the Best Female Swimmer Award.
• Two UTAR students were awarded the Pingat Tunku (Tunku Medal) and Tan Sri Khir Johari Award respectively as a form of recognition for scholastic achievements during Malam Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman 2007.
• In April 2007, two postgraduate students from Chinese Studies won the first and third place in Emperors Yan-Huang Essay Writing Competition organised by Sin Chew Jit Poh. They have been invited to participate in the inauguration ceremony of the huge statues of Emperors Yan and Huang held at the Zhengzhou Yellow River Scene Area, China.
• UTAR students won the overall champion in the Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) Investment Game in 2008.
• UTAR students were awarded the ‘Overall Best Young Soldier’ and ‘Best Academic Achievement’ during the Askar Wartaniah Training in 2008.
• A group of UTAR students won several awards in Astro NextGen Contentpreneur Award 2008.^[7]
• UTAR students were awarded the FC Yap Scholarship by the Lions Club of Subang Jaya at a presentation ceremony held at the Armada Hotel on 4 July 2008^[8].
• UTAR students clinched the coveted First Prize in the Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) Investment Game 2008 (University Category) held on 26 August 2008 at Datin Seri Endon Hall in Putrajaya^[9].
• UTAR staff who is among the pioneer group of Master's degree graduates at UTAR added another feather to his academic cap when he received the Japanese Government's Monbukagakusho Scholarship to further his PhD studies in Japan^[10].
• UTAR were bestowed the Best APNNA Poster Award, an award held in conjunction with the 15th International Conference on Neural Information Processing of the Asia-Pacific Neural Network Assembly (ICONIP'08) in Auckland, New Zealand^[11].
• UTAR gained recognition for its effort in establishing the 'Centre of Excellence in Pattern Recognition and Machine Vision' with MIMOS Berhad on 4 December 2008 at Dewan Perdana Felda, Kuala Lumpur^[12].
• UTAR received four research grants from the Malaysia Toray Science Foundation (MTSF) on 10 December 2008 at a presentation ceremony held in Hotel Nikko, Kuala Lumpur^[13].
• ASEAN University Games, UTAR's Year 3 Biotechnology student, Kho Ai Hwee helped the women's swimming team to win gold in the 4 X 100m freestyle relay and silver in the 4 X 200m freestyle event. The team swam in a record time to secure the gold medal^[14].
• UTAR scooped seven medals at the MASISWA - Kejohanan Olahraga Kebangsaan Institusi Pengajian Tinggi Swasta (IPTS) 2008 held on 27 December 2008 at Stadium Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor^[15].
• UTAR students swept 14 out of the 33 awards under the Anugerah Perdana and Anugerah Cipta presented on the Malam Anugerah of Festival Filem dan Video Pelajar Malaysia Keenam (FFVPM6) held on 10 January 2009 in Dewan Banquet, Universti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in Serdang^[16].
• UTAR Broadcasting student, Balvinder Singh a/l Joginder Singh was awarded the first SIGNIS Asia Media Award by SIGNIS (World Catholic Association for Communication) on 17 September 2008 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia ^[17].
• Chong Yar Ching, a final-year student of UTAR's Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Quantity Surveying, won the Best Paper Award at the first surveying conference by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Institution of Surveyors, Malaysia (ISM). The RICS - ISM Surveying Conference for Undergraduates 2009 was held on 14 March 2009 at University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur^[18].
• UTAR, Euphoria and Eureka, earned a second-place finish for the English category and a third-place finish for the Bahasa Malaysia category at the Showcase of Projek Warga (Project Citizen) IPTS held on 14 and 15 March 2009 at the Multipurpose Hall of Sunway University College in Kuala Lumpur^[19].
• UTAR students and faculty have made the University proud again by sweeping the top five Best Poster Awards at the 20th Intervarsity Biochemistry Seminar organised by the Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MSBMB) at Universiti Putra Malaysia on 21st March 2009^[20].
• UTAR splashed their way to eight medals at the Multimedia University (MMU) Swimming Carnival 2009 held at MMU's swimming pool in Cyberjaya on 11 April 2009^[21].
• Lee Sheng Wang, an Advertising student at UTAR Perak Campus, produced a short documentary titled Pembedahan Implan Koklea that has been shortlisted as one of the top ten productions in the documentary category for the award night of Program Karyawan Muda 2008, which was held at Auditorium Perdana, Angkasapuri and telecasted live on RTM's TV2 at 8.30 pm on 18 April 2009^[22].
• UTAR received an award of recognition from MIRC at a ceremony held in conjunction with MIRC's Annual Dinner on 27 April 2009^[23].
• UTAR teamed up as Envinova Team won the Bronze award during the recent HSBC Young Entrepreneur Awards^[24].
• A team of nine students from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) emerged as champion of the "Horse Sculpture Competition" organised by the Selangor Turf Club held in Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur on 12 June 2009^[25].
• Students from Degree in Mechatronics Engineering and Electronics Engineering have won the GOLD and SILVER awards in the ITEX 2009 with the invention titled "Multi Agent System for Deforestation Monitoring" and "Universal Sun Tracking System"^[26].
• Dr. Stephen Leong Mun Yoon, Director of UTAR Centre for International Studies, has been conferred "The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette" by the His Majesty the Emperor of Japan in Kuala Lumpur on 15 July 2009^[27].
• A group of Broadcasting students of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) shone again at the Astro Nextgen Contentpreneur Awards (NCA) 2009 ceremony held on 6 August 2009 at the Sime Darby Convention, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, bagging two awards from the eleven given out at the ceremony^[28].
• Assistant Professor Dr. Sim Kooi Mow, a chemistry lecturer from the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), has been awarded a 42nd International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) Young Chemist Award (Programme A) by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), UK, in conjunction with the 42nd IUPAC Congress, which will be held from 2 - 7 August 2009 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK^[29].
• UTAR's Advertising student, Lee Sheng Wang has been chosen as one of the two Malaysians to represent the country at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - Republic of Korea (ROK) Independent Cinema Workshop which will be held from 15 July to 8 August 2009 in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines.^[30].
• UTAR students have made the University proud again by sweeping two of the top ten Best Poster Awards at the 34th Annual Conference of the Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MSBMB) held at Prince Hotel Kuala Lumpur from the 7th to 8th October 2009^[31].
• A multi-ethnic team of five students from UTAR Perak Campus submitted their ideas on promoting the 1Malaysia concept in the University for the 1Malaysia@Campus Competition organised by the Ministry of Higher Education and the team emerged as one of the five winners held at Pusat Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Sultan Salehuddin Abdul Azizi Shah, Universiti Putra Malaysia on 10 October 2009^[32].
• UTAR received three Science & Technology Research Grants and one consolation prize under the Science Education Award from the Malaysia Toray Science Foundation (MTSF) on 15 December 2009 at a presentation ceremony held in Hotel Nikko, Kuala Lumpur^[33].
• Dr Lee Sheng Chyan, Deputy Dean (R&D and Postgraduate Programmes) of the Perak Campus Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology outstanding achievement in securing the Endeavour Research Fellowship under the Australia-Asia Endeavour Awards programme. Through this fellowship, Dr Lee will undertake postdoctoral research in Communication Technologies at the University of Melbourne starting 1 September 2010^[34].
• UTAR undergraduate student was announced as one of the best poster winners at the 1st Malaysian Symposium on Biomedical Sciences, held at Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia from the 13th to 14th March 2010^[35].
• Three UTAR postgraduate students bagged prizes at the Inter -Varsity Student Paper Presentation Contest 2010 (S-SPEC 2010) held from 15 to 16 March 2010 at University Teknologi Malaysia in Skudai, Johor^[36].
• Two teams from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) made it to the Malaysian final of the HSBC Young Entrepreneur Awards 2009-2010 competition which saw one team bagging the Silver Award and the other receiving the Certificate of Excellence at a presentation ceremony held at the HSBC Headquarter in Kuala Lumpur on 6 May 2010^[37].

International collaborations^[38]

• Monash University, Australia
• Queensland University of Technology, Australia
• Guangxi Normal University, China
• Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, China
• Hunan Normal University, China
• Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
• Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China
• Xiamen University, China
• Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China
• Yunnan Jiaotong College, China
• Guilin University of Technology, China
• Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
• University of Hong Kong School of Professional and Continuing Studies, Hong Kong
• Hanyang University, South Korea
• Inje University, South Korea
• Mokpo National University, South Korea
• Dongseo University, South Korea
• Tunghai University, Taiwan
• Academia Sinica, CAPAS, Taiwan
• Feng Chia University, Taiwan
• National Chi Nan University, Taiwan
• National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan
• National Pingtung University of Science & Technology, Taiwan
• National Taipei University of Education, Taiwan
• National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan
• National Yunlin University of Science & Technology, Taiwan
• Asia University, Taiwan
• Tzu Chi University, Taiwan
• Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand
• The Resource Alliance, United Kingdom
• University of Salford, United Kingdom
• Sheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom
• University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom
• University of Ottawa, Canada

Notable alumni

• Karen Kong(龔柯允) - Malaysian singer.
• Emily Tan Yean Jia - Journalist, Campaign Asia-Pacific, Hong Kong. Recipient of the Erasmus Mundus scholarship for Masters, Journalism in Media within Globalisation - The European perspective.
• Kah Jun (凌加峻) - Malaysian singer.
• Yise Loo (罗忆诗), Malaysian singer.
• Lim Weng Khong, recipient of Cambridge Commonwealth Trust Special Malaysia Scholarship in Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) at Micklem lab at the Department of Genetics in University of Cambridge.

Notable staff

• Ir. Prof. Dato' Dr. Chuah Hean Teik, a Fulbright Scholar at the Wave Scattering Research Centre, University of Texas, USA. In April 2008, he was appointed as President of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) in Malaysia.
• Prof. Dr Cheong Soon Keng, Pathologists.
• Prof. Dr Loganathan a/l Krishnan, Principles of Business and Corporate Law, Malaysia, CCH: Singapore (Law text book) author.
• Prof. Dr Boo Nem Yun, Founder President of the Perinatal Society of Malaysia.
• Prof. Dr Yap Sook Fan, Pathologists.
• Prof. Dr Alan Ong Han Kiat, 2009 MTSF Awards & Grants in science and technology.
• Prof. Dr. Ooi Keng Boon, founding editor of the International Journal of Modelling in Operations Management (IJMOM). His papers has appeared in Journal of Computer Information Systems, Internet Research, International Journal of Production and Economics, Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Computers in Human Behavior, Journal of Services Marketing, Personnel Review, Industrial Management & Data Systems, Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, International Journal of Mobile Communications and International Journal of Manpower. His paper entitled “Exploring the Individual Characteristics on the Adoption of Broadband: An Empirical Analysis” published in the International Journal of Network and Mobile Technologies (IJNMT) received the 2011 ‘Best Paper Award’.
• Prof. Dr Choong Chee Keong, major research grant, he also a editorial referee or book reviewer to few referred journals such as Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, Economic Modeling, Singapore Economic Review, Contemporary Economic Policy and African Journal of Business Management.
• Prof. Dr. Eng Yoke Kee, Gold Medal for research/paper title “Asymmetric Adjustment of Commercial Bank Retail Rates in Malaysia” (with Muzafar Shah Habibullah, Mansor H. Ibrahim, and Tan Siow Hooi) at the Invention & Research Innovation Exhibition 2009.
• Marlehan Bin Mohamed, Presenter at International Islamic Finance Conference 2010, Labuan, Malaysia “Trust Formation Process in Islamic Banking In Malaysia”.
• Tan Boon In, member of management team in LKMB Berhad to list LKMB Berhad into Bursa Malaysia in 2000.
• Tian Kian Wee, CEO and founder of UTAR Microalgae Sdn. Bhd, Inventor of the Multi-level Microalgae Cultivation System (MMCS).

Additional images

Notes

UTAR Microalgae Sdn Bhd homepage http://www.utarmicroalgae.com/main/home.php

References

1. Official website 2. [1] 3. [2]

External links

• UTAR Official Website