KUALA LUMPUR: Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology’s (TAR UMT) Kuala Lumpur campus has iconic red bricks for its buildings, which housed and educated hundreds of thousands of students who went on to build successful careers.
The university’s alumni body will be looking to preserve the institution’s rich history and journey through the launch of the ‘TARC: Red Bricks Journey’ project.
“For TARCians, ‘Red Bricks’ represent more than just the bricks of the many buildings on campus; each brick represents the unified effort by us in ensuring every Malaysian the opportunity to pursue tertiary education.
“From the first brick that was laid down in 1973 to date, the journey of this institution continues, while faithfully supporting the nation-building efforts for our beloved Malaysia.
“These records are essentially the building bricks of this university’s rich history and legacy, whether it’d be from earlier generations of TARCians or MCA leaders who contributed to the establishment of TARC,” said TARC alumni and former Transport Minister Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy.
The project will see the compilation of the many important memories, stories and milestones from its students, staff, alumni, former staff and friends of the Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC).
The wealth of memories and important records will then be showcased at a new gallery in TAR UMT Kuala Lumpur Campus’ Student Centre that is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by 2024.
A special documentary film will also be made to highlight the key historic moments of the iconic academic institution over its decades-long history after its establishment as TARC in 1969.
“Apart from the astounding 300,000 graduates we have produced throughout our journey, we also take pride in the quality of graduates we have produced.
“On top of having successful careers and being instrumental movers or shakers in both local and global industries, I know that TARCians are equally good citizens who do not only value hard work but are also humble, with a deep desire to contribute, serve and give back to society.
“Over the years, this is shown by the many TARCians who gave back freely to their alma mater to show appreciation for their years of memories, stories and milestones spent here,” said Chan, the TAR UMT alumni council chairman and board of governors member.
He added that the setting up of over 60 student loan funds by alumni associations, valued at more than RM20mil was one clear example of responsible TARCian alumni.
TARC Education Foundation board of trustees chairman Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said the project was an important reminder and lesson for future generations to look back on.
The MCA president commended the significant roles that past Malaysian leaders had played in the establishment of TARC.
“If not for the vision of our first prime minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj and the dedicated efforts of TARC founding fathers like the late Tun Tan Siew Sin and Tan Sri Khaw Kai Boh, TAR UMT would not exist.
“These gentlemen did not just lead but also inspired many other MCA leaders, pioneers and TAR-Cians to continue carrying out their vision, mission and aspirations up until today,” he said.
TAR UMT today is a success story that was built on the solid foundation laid by the predecessors and forefathers.
“It is a testament to our lifelong commitment towards continuous academic excellence. Having accomplished much in the last five decades, it is only right that we recognise and archive the TARC story for future generations to understand and appreciate the journey that we have been through.
“TARC: A Red Bricks Journey will be exactly that – a culmination of memories and experiences people had of TARC that must be shared with everyone, especially all TARCians,” he said during his special address at the project’s launch here yesterday.
TAR UMT board of governors chairman Tan Sri Liow Tiong Lai was also present at the launch together with the family members of TAR UMT’s founding leaders including Tunku’s grandchildren Tunku Muinuddin Putra and Tunku Munawirah Putra, Tun Tan’s daughter Datin Paduka Tan Siok Choo and Khaw’s son Khaw Chay Tee.
TARCians and friends of TARC who wish to be a part of the project can schedule a chat session with the university’s Department of Alumni Relations through Serene Ong at 03-4145 0100 or 6011-1085 9014 or email alumni@tarc.edu.my.
