Dr Wee leads the topping out ceremony for this milestone
KUALA LUMPUR: The topping out ceremony for the new Student and SME Centre at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) marks a significant milestone as it advances towards becoming a leading institution.
In a celebratory manner, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong did the honours by pulling a lever to release cement, completing the top deck of the centre, which will feature a rooftop full-sized football field.
Dr Wee, who chairs the Tunku Abdul Rahman College Education Foundation board of trustees, described the new Student and SME Centre as a pivotal development for the university.
“As TAR UMT progresses forward to be a leading university to transform the future as outlined in our 10-year roadmap, this infrastructure is certainly a symbol of our unwavering dedication to fostering a community where learning, entrepreneurship and collaboration thrive,” he said in his speech here yesterday.
The new centre is a six-storey building with a gross floor area of 1.5 million square feet, designed to enhance campus life for students, said Dr Wee.
He added that it will serve as a recreational hub, featuring a FIFA-certified football field, running track and multipurpose indoor sports court.
Big moment: Dr Wee (sixth from right) at the topping out ceremony for the new Student and SME Centre at TAR UMT. On his left is TAR UMT president Prof Dr Lee Sze Wei and on his right, Board of Governors of TAR UMT chairman Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy. — ONG SOON HIN/The Star
Other amenities include a student lounge, auditorium, gym, dance studios, food and beverage outlets, and tutorial rooms.
For small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the centre will offer meeting and seminar spaces to help businesses turn their ideas into reality.
The SME facilities will include administrative offices, a gallery, a networking lounge, co-working spaces, meeting and seminar rooms, a pitching hall and exhibition halls.
Dr Wee said the centre aims to be the focal point for student activities and SME ventures, contributing to the development of well-rounded human capital and supporting high-potential SMEs that can strengthen the nation’s economic foundation.
The MCA president added that the new centre will enhance TAR UMT’s vibrancy beyond the educational campus environment.
Construction of the centre began on Sept 8, 2021, with the main building works scheduled for completion by Dec 31 this year.The centre will also have 1,431 car parking spaces, with an estimated total construction cost of RM210mil.
After the ceremony, Dr Wee addressed a fire incident that occurred earlier in the day at a convenience store within the university premises. He confirmed that the fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported.
The Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department stated that an emergency call was received at 11.38am.
The cause of the fire is under investigation and the convenience store sustained nearly 100% damage, according to operations commander Senior Fire Officer II Muhammad Hasif Zakaria.
