Berita Kampus

TAR College Welcomes Its New Principal

Dr Tan Chik Heok (in black coat)

Dr Tan Chik Heok, 53, has been appointed as the new Principal of Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR) College effective 16 August 2008.

Dr Tan has a very strong academic credential and proven track record in educational leadership, in a career spanning nearly 30 years. Prior to the latest appointment, he was the Vice-President of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR).

With 20 illustrious years of service at TAR College that fills the early chapters of his academic career, Dr Tan is no stranger to the College. He first joined the School of Arts and Science as a lecturer in 1982, and was later appointed as Head of Microelectronics and Physics Division in 1995, Deputy Head of School in 1999, and subsequently Head of School in 2000.

Dr Tan has a very strong academic credential and proven track record in educational leadership, in a career spanning nearly 30 years. Prior to the latest appointment, he was the Vice-President of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR).

With 20 illustrious years of service at TAR College that fills the early chapters of his academic career, Dr Tan is no stranger to the College. He first joined the School of Arts and Science as a lecturer in 1982, and was later appointed as Head of Microelectronics and Physics Division in 1995, Deputy Head of School in 1999, and subsequently Head of School in 2000.

It was this distinguished record of intellectual and administrative leadership that made Dr Tan the ideal candidate to head UTAR’s Faculty of Information and Communication Technology when the University was established in 2002.

During his tenure as founding dean and senior management staff at UTAR, Dr Tan has contributed greatly in setting up the University and put the Faculty on track for growth. He was consequently appointed as Vice-President (Internationalisation and Academic Affairs) of UTAR in 2007.

Dr Tan, who holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in science from University of Malaya, specialises in the field of Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR). He is a Fellow of Institute of Physics Malaysia (FIFM), Member of Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineering (MIEEE), and also Member of Malaysian Scientific Association.

A scholar with extensive experience in teaching and research, Dr Tan has been actively involved in various national and international academic activities. He has written and edited several books and has published a number of academic papers.

Dr Tan succeeds Ms Yoong Lai Thye, who retired on 16 August 2008 after serving as Principal of the College for six years.

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