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Not to be confused with Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology or University System of Tunku Abdul Rahman.
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Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman  (Malay)
拉曼大学  (Chinese)
துங்கு அப்துல் ரகுமான் பல்கலைக்கழகம்  (Tamil)
(Jawi script) اونيۏرسيتي تونكو عبدالرحمن
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman Logo.jpg
Motto 德智体兼修 群美新并重
Motto in English
 Broadening Horizons, Transforming Lives
Type Private university
Research university
Established 13 August 2002
Chairman Ting Chew Peh
Chancellor Ling Liong Sik
President Ewe Hong Tat
Academic staff
 >2,000 (2023)
Students >21,000 (2023)
Undergraduates 16,975 (2022)
Postgraduates 707 (2022)
Location
Kampar, Perak
Sungai Long, Selangor
,
Malaysia
Campus Multiple sites
Colours                    
Blue, yellow, red and white
Affiliations
  • ACU
  • AACSB
  • UAiTED
  • Talloires Network of Engaged Universities
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese 拉曼大学
Traditional Chinese 拉曼大學

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (abbreviated as UTAR; simplified Chinese: 拉曼大学; traditional Chinese: 拉曼大學) is a not-for-profit private research university in Malaysia. UTAR ranked among top 100 in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2018 and top 600 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021, placing it 2nd overall in Malaysia only after University of Malaya. UTAR also ranked 31st in UI GreenMetric Ranking Top 50 Under 50 2022, and 3rd in Malaysia for Nature Index Institution Research Output.

UTAR was established in June 2002 through the UTAR Education Foundation, a non-for-profit organisation. A total of 411 students were enrolled in June 2002 for its first intake.

The university has two campuses, the award-winning Kampar campus in the state of Perak while the other one is in Sungai Long located within the Klang Valley in the state of Selangor.

History

In July 2001, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), a monoethnic political party, received an invitation from the Malaysian Ministry of Education to establish a university. Ling Liong Sik, the President of the MCA, chaired a committee that drew up a framework for the establishment of the university. Another committee was formed to compile the necessary documents to receive approval from the local authorities. The second committee was led by Ng Lay Swee, the Principal of Tunku Abdul Rahman University College, a tertiary education institution also established by the MCA, and it included Lai Fatt Sian, the Head of the School of Business Studies of the University College, who became the founding Dean of the UTAR Faculty of Accountancy and Management. The university also established the Faculty of Arts and Social Science, led by Yeoh Suan Pow, and the Faculty of Information Communication and Technology, led by Tan Chik Heok. Ling Liong Sik was appointed Council Chairman of UTAR and Ng Lay Swee became the first President and CEO.

In June 2002, UTAR opened its doors to the pioneer batch students on its first campus located in Section 13 of Petaling Jaya, on premises previously owned by the publisher of a local daily called The Star.

Through the three newly established faculties, the university offered its first eight honours degree programmes At that time, the Faculty of Accountancy and Management, under founding Dean Lai Fatt Sian, hosted more than 6,000 students.

An official ceremony was held to launch UTAR on 13 August 2002 at the main hall of the Tunku Abdul Rahman University College. Attending the ceremony was the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad. The prime minister also officiated the university groundbreaking event at its new campus at Kampar, in the state of Perak.

UTAR once maintained campuses in Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur, but in June 2015 these were consolidated with the Sungai Long campus.

Ng Lay Swee retired as the President on 31 March 2008. She was succeeded by Chuah Hean Teik. Following her retirement, many pioneering staff members who worked with her from the inception of the university left the establishment as well.

Chuah Hean Teik retired as the President on 31 August 2019. He was succeeded by Ewe Hong Tat effective from 1 September 2019.

Campuses

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman Kampar Campus has an area of 1,300 acres (2.03 square miles; 5.26 square kilometres), is one of the largest private universities in Malaysia.

UTAR Kampar Campus
UTAR Kampus Kampar  (Malay)
拉曼大学金宝校区  (Chinese)
General information
Location Kampar, Perak, Malaysia
Town or city Kampar
Country Malaysia
Groundbreaking 12 January 2003
Opened May 2007
Inaugurated 1 June 2007

UTAR Kampar main campus is located at Kampar, Perak. The campus received the first intake of students in May 2007.

UTAR Sungai Long Campus
UTAR Kampus Sungai Long  (Malay)
拉曼大学双溪龙校区  (Chinese)
General information
Location Sungai Long, Selangor, Malaysia
Town or city Sungai Long
Country Malaysia
Coordinates 3°02′23″N 101°47′39″E / 3.03972°N 101.79417°E / 3.03972; 101.79417
Relocated 1 June 2015
Technical details
Floor count KA Block: 10
KB Block: 11

UTAR Sungai Long campus is located at Bandar Sungai Long, Kajang, Selangor.

Campuses
  • Supreme Hall 015424

    UTAR Kampar Campus

  • Tunku Abdul Rahman University

    UTAR Sungai Long Campus

  • UTAR FAS & ICS

    FAS and ICS at Kampar Campus

Academic profile

Accreditation and memberships

All UTAR academic programmes are approved by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and Public Service Department (JPA).

Various departments and programs at UTAR are also recognized by professional associations and institutes across Malaysia, other Southeast Asian countries, Australia, the Commonwealth, and the United States. The UTAR engineering degree programmes are recognized by the Board of Engineers Malaysia. This recognition allows UTAR engineering graduates to practice in 23 countries under the Washington Accord.

Rankings and reputation

University rankings
Global – Overall
QS World 801-1000 (2022)
QS Employability 201-250 (2022)
THE World 501-600 (2021)
THE Young Universities 301-350 (2023)
Regional – Overall
QS Asia 157 (2021)
THE Asia 119 (2021)
THE Emerging Economies 144 (2021)
National – Overall
QS National 14 (2021)
THE National 2 (2021)

UTAR has been mainly ranked by two international ranking systems, the QS University Rankings, and the Times Higher Education University Rankings.

UTAR also ranked 3rd in Malaysia for Nature Index Institution Research Output.

Ranking 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
Times Higher Education World University Rankings 1001–1200 1001–1200 501–600 501–600 501–600 501–600
Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 351–400 119 119 111 99 111–120
QS World University Rankings 801–850 800–1000 800–1000 800–1000 800–1000
QS Asian University Rankings 174 167 157 181 188 251–260 251–300 251–300 251–300

The international UI GreenMetric annually ranks universities on their sustainability performance in infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste, water, transportation, and education. The ranking is organised by the Universitas Indonesia. In 2022, UTAR was ranked 91st.

The MQA is responsible for the Rating for Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia (SETARA) and the Discipline-Based Rating System (D-SETARA). In 2017, UTAR was rated Tier 5 (Excellence).

Notable alumni

  • Chew Mei Fun, Deputy Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development Malaysia (2009 - 2010)
  • Julian Tan Kok Ping, Former Member of Parliament for Bandar Kuching
  • Karen Kong Cheng Tshe (龚柯允), Singer
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