TAR University College Will Be Opening Pahang Branch in Kuantan

YB Dato' Sri Liow Tiong Lai, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, TARC Education Foundation and Board of Governors, TAR University College, giving a speech at the ground breaking ceremony of Pahang Branch in Kuantan.

16 May 2015, KUANTAN - Tunku Abdul Rahman University College ('TAR University College') will soon be opening its Pahang Branch in Kuantan following the Ground Breaking Ceremony held today. Located 5km from Kuantan town centre, this upcoming branch of TAR University College will serve the educational need of the greater community in the East Coast region and it will replace the current branch in Karak, Pahang. 

The Ground Breaking Ceremony was graced by His Royal Highness, KEBAWAH DULI YANG TERAMAT MULIA TENGKU MAHKOTA PAHANG. This significant occasion was also witnessed by Yang Berhormat Dato' Sri Liow Tiong Lai, Chairman of TAR University College Board of Governors and TARC Education Foundation Board of Trustees, Datuk Dr Tan Chik Heok, President of TAR University College and the senior management of the University College. The Pahang Branch in Kuantan will be the fourth branch with purpose-built campus in the lineup of branches under TAR University College besides the branches at Penang, Perak, and Johor in line with the vision of the institution of widening access to quality education for nation building.   

The key ceremonial highlight of the event was the symbolic ground breaking to commence the development of the branch, officiated by His Royal Highness, KEBAWAH DULI YANG TERAMAT MULIA TENGKU MAHKOTA PAHANG.   

The ground breaking ceremony as officiated by K.D.Y.T.M Tengku Mahkota Pahang (leftmost, sitting in a piling machine) with the symbolic piling works in the presence of YB Dato' Sri Liow Tiong Lai (2nd from left), YBhg Dato' Hoh Khai Mun (3rd from left), Chairman of MCA Pahang State Liaison Committee, YBhg Datuk Dr Tan Chik Heok (4th from left), President of TAR University College, YBhg Dato' Sri Tew Kim Thin (5th from left), Developer of Pahang Branch, YBhg Tan Sri Dato' Sri Barry Goh (extreme right), Member of the Board of Governors, TAR University College.

In his speech, Dato' Sri Liow Tiong Lai highlighted that TAR University College Pahang Branch would be a well-equipped campus with top-notch facilities that would enhance the delivery of its holistic education. 

"Following the Ground Breaking Ceremony, the 15 acres of land on which we stand now will be developed into Pahang Branch in two years' time. The branch will be an ultra-modern purpose-built campus that is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for teaching and learning", he said. 

From left to right: YB Dato' Sri Liow Tiong Lai, K.D.Y.T.M Tengku Mahkota Pahang, YBhg Datuk Dr Tan Chik Heok and YBhg Dato' Sri Ti Lian Ker, MCA Central Committee Member, viewing the scale model of Pahang branch in the exhibition section.

He continued: "With comprehensive facilities, Pahang Branch will be able to offer programmes at Diploma and Bachelor levels. The disciplines of study will cover Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes in the areas of Engineering, Technology, Built Environment and Manufacturing".  

The programmes offered by the branch are to support and catalyse the economic development of the East Coast Region. With TAR University College Pahang Branch, it will contribute in developing human capital to accelerate the growth of East Coast Region. The supply of highly skilled professionals educated and trained in Pahang Branch will benefit the industries in the East Coast Region which in turn will bring about positive knock-on effect in terms of socio-economic growth. The presence of Pahang Branch in Kuantan is also strategic location-wise as school leavers in the East Coast Region will not have to travel far for high quality tertiary education

The initial phase of development will furnish Pahang Branch with a slew of facilities such as a 3-storey administration building with IT facility and library, a 2-storey student centre and canteen, 2 blocks of 3-storey tutorial building, a single-storey sports dome and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.