Tar College Now a University College

KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 (Bernama) -- The Tunku Abdul Rahman College (Tar College) here has been upgraded to university college status, allowing the institution to offer undergraduate degree programmes leading to the awarding of Bachelor's degrees. Tar College Council chairman Dr Chua Soi Lek said 160,000 people had graduated from the 44-year-old institution, and most of them had secured jobs within six months of graduation. Speaking at an event to mark the upgrading exercice here Thursday, Dr Chua, who is Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) president, said the institution's achievements were made possible with continuous support from the National Front (Barisan Nasional or BN) government. "Since its opening, Tar College has benefitted from funds totalling RM760 million (US$249.51 mil)," he said, adding that this would continue following the upgrading of the college. Tarc principal Dr Tan Chik Heok said the university college will begin to offer 47 degree programmes in September. -- BERNAMA