TAR UC Honours Founding Leaders as Prelude to 50th Anniversary Milestone

Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (‘TAR UC’) had successfully commenced the countdown to its 50th anniversary by honouring its founding leaders at a ceremony held on 13 February 2018 at its Kuala Lumpur Main Campus.

The ceremony paid tribute to 10 founding leaders of the then TAR College who contributed to the College tremendously either as the pioneers or being the longest serving leaders in the history of the institution. The event also served as a reminder of the early struggle TAR College went through in the early years after its inception in 1969 and the growth that ensued from the contribution of the founding leaders which forms the foundation that builds TAR UC to its current stature.

As a gesture of respect and gratitude to the founding leaders, 10 key buildings in TAR UC Kuala Lumpur Main Campus have been earmarked to be named after the 10 founding leaders which were announced in the ceremony. The 10 founding leaders and the 10 buildings that are named after them are as follows:

Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, TARC Education Foundation and Board of Governors, TAR UC who is also the President of Malaysian Chinese Association (‘MCA’) and Minister of Transport, was present to host the event. In his welcome address, Dato’ Sri Liow shared the growth and achievements of TAR UC over close to five decades in providing quality and affordable education which underscore TAR UC’s contribution in the sphere of education to develop the human capital for the nation. He said: “Over the course of five decades, TAR UC is still relevant as the University College continues to rise up and be recognised as one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the country as well as abroad”.

Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai also added that the progress and development of TAR UC was attributed to the contribution and visionary leadership of the founding leaders. He said: “All the achievements would not have been possible without the visionary foresight and strong leadership of its founding leaders who laid the firm foundation on which TAR UC could stand strong and grow.

“These significant luminaries have worked relentlessly to lay the strong foundation for TAR UC to be what it is today. Indeed they are the people behind the TARC history and there is no better way to pay tribute to them than to remember them as we are going 50. In view of their immeasurable contribution, today’s event will witness 10 buildings in TAR UC to be named after them as a gesture of gratitude as well as to honour them for their exemplary work for the institution,” said Dato’ Sri Liow.

Among those who attended the event are Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik accompanied by Toh Puan Ena Ling, Datuk Dr Tan Chik Heok, President of TAR UC, Tan Sri Dr Ng Lay Swee, Dato’ Kum Boo, Datin Paduka Tan Siok Choo, daughter of the late Tun Tan Siew Sin together with her sisters Tan Siok Eng and Tan Siok Lee, as well as Mr Khaw Chay Tee, son of the late Tan Sri Khaw Khai Boh, and Ms Dorothy Lew, daughter of the late Dato’ (Dr) Lew Sip Hon.

The naming ceremony will be the first of many events which will be held from now until 2019 to build the momentum leading up to TAR UC’s golden celebration on 24 February 2019.