TAR College takes every opportunity to get involved in community service as it believes it builds character and infuses positive values among the students. On 27 May 2012, more than 200 TAR College students, staff and Taman Bunga Raya (TBR) residents took part in the “Gotong-Royong Perdana 2012” event at TBR. The theme of the event was, “Basmi Denggi Tanggungjawab Masyarakat” with the aim of educating students and residents to take up the responsibility to clean up their own residential area and to curb the dengue fever threat.

It was the third consecutive year this event was organized due to the overwhelming response that it received in the previous years. This meaningful event was officially launched by YB Dato’ Dr Hou Kok Chung, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, together with representatives from Kawasan Rukun Tetangga Taman Bunga Raya (KRT TBR), Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) and TAR College.

The event started at 8.00am and ended at 1.00pm with a lunch session, a number of performances put up by TAR College students and a lucky draw session. Such endeavour is certainly worthwhile as it allows TAR College to contribute to the society.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1:
“Senamrobik”, warm-up exercises before the start of the Gotong-Royong.

Photo 2:
A group photo session of all the participants of “Gotong Royong Perdana 2012”.

Photo 3:
The VIPs using air-horns to launch the event. From left to right (front row), Mr Ismadi bin Haji Sakirin (Area Manager of DBKL Wangsa Maju), Dr Tan Chik Heok (College Principal), Dato’ Dr Hou Kok Chung (Deputy Minister of Higher Education), Mr Haji Meor Ishak (Chairman of Kawasan Rukun Tetangga Taman Bunga Raya) and Mr Mohd Rosli bin Alias (Officer of Perpaduan Negara & Integrasi Nasional, Jabatan Perdana Menteri Daerah Sentul).

Photo 4:
Students busy cleaning up the area.

Team Slim from TAR College clinched the Microsoft Windows Phone Challenge title during the Microsoft Imagine Cup Malaysia 2012 which was held at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah from 16 May 2012 to 18 May 2012. The team comprised 4 Advanced Diploma students: Lim Shang Yi (Information Systems Engineering, Year 2), Ivan Chong Kok Yew (Information Systems Engineering, Year 1), Marvin Heng Hiang Meng (Internet Technology, Year 1), and Goh Seng Hong (Information Systems Engineering, Year 1).

In addition to the RM2,000 cash prize that came with the Microsoft Windows Phone Challenge title, Team Slim also emerged among the top 6 teams out of a total 47 semi-finalists, thus resulting in them being awarded a Consolation Prize with a RM1,000 cash prize.

For the competition entry, the team produced a mobile application that helps improve the healthcare of mothers-to-be by preparing them for the childbirth process. The application enables expectant mothers to access immediate medical attention via customized SMS to their family members and friends. The mobile application also has the capability to assist as a personal breathing assistant during labour and as a food advisor during the pregnancy term.

Heartiest congratulations to the 4 students and well done for their efforts and determination!

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 :
From right to left (in grey T-shirts): Team Slim members Goh Seng Hong, Lim Shang Yi (Leader), Marvin Heng Hiang Meng, and Ivan Chong Kok Yew. Ivan was demonstrating the team's mobile application to the judges.

Photo 2:
From left (in grey T-Shirts): Goh Seng Hong, Lim Shang Yi, Marvin Heng Hiang Meng and Ivan Chong Kok Yew, receiving the mock cheque for the consolation prize.

Photo 3:
Team SLIM with their two mock cheques. From left: Goh Seng Hong, Ivan Chong Kok Yew, Lim Shang Yi and Marvin Heng Hiang Meng with their faculty mentor Mr. Teh Boon Chuan, Programme Supervisor from the Computer Science Division, School of Arts and Science (middle).

TAR College is proud to announce that it has signed on to participate in the MyUniAlliance-SAP programme which will enable students from relevant programmes of study to undergo SAP training as part of their academic curriculum. The programme aims to upskill ICT undergraduates in Malaysia by adding industry-relevant training to their syllabus to enhance their employability.

As TAR College employs the MyUniAlliance-SAP programme, the College will receive three pillars of support. First of all, TAR College will receive free licenses for SAP software to be used for teaching purposes. Secondly, the College will be provided curriculum support through extensive educational materials developed by professors around the world through the SAP University Alliance Program. Finally, SAP will provide training to the College to equip staff and lecturers with the latest SAP knowledge to pass on to their students.

In addition to this, Robert Walters Global Salary Survey report for 2012 shows that IT professionals with SAP training are very much in demand and are among the highest paid IT professionals in Malaysia. This bodes well for TAR College graduates seeking to establish their career in the IT field.

The College, as a provider of quality and holistic education, will continue to forge ahead in working together with key industry players to form academia-industry collaborations, which will ensure that the curriculum is industry-driven and students are well-exposed to the most recent developments in their fields of study.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 :
From left to right; Ms Serene Sia (Managing Director, SAP Malaysia), Dr Ng Swee Chin (Head of School of Arts & Science, TAR College), Ms Ng Wan Peng (Chief Operating Officer, MDEC).

As part of its community services, the 1 Malaysia Community Alliance Foundation ('MCA Foundation') recently held a health awareness campaign with TAR College on 16th May 2012 at the Canteen 2 Foyer.

The campaign, entitled, "Let's Embrace Health", was carried out by setting up various booths for testing blood pressure, eye sight, glucose level and so forth. Many students and staff thronged the booths to get a check on their general health and well-being.

The 1MCA Foundation was formed in 2010 with the objective of fulfilling the 1Malaysia's spirit of serving the nation and her people. It is set to improve the quality of life and well-being of the poor and needy segments of society. Some of their activities include health screening, awareness program, consultation, outreach services, crisis relief services and so forth.

Progressing towards a fully-developed nation, it is only timely that such continuous efforts are taken to help the underprivileged Malaysians suffering from poverty, illness and other social problems. Thus, 1MCA Foundation is recruiting as many TAR College students to become volunteers who would contribute to society at large.

Chong Cze Ying, a student volunteer doing her STPM (Arts) in the School of Pre-University Studies (SPUS) at TAR College said: "Having the opportunity to contribute in my own small way is great! If everyone played his or her part, the world would be a better place to live in".

TAR College sees the importance of a healthy and caring society, thus it encourages many of its students and graduates to make a significant contribution to the nation in serving the community by being volunteers of 1MCA Foundation.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 :
Dr Tan Chik Heok, Principal of TAR College (second from right), Mr Loh Kok Seng, Chief Executive Officer of 1MCA Foundation (far left) and Datuk Yew Teong Look, Wangsa Maju MCA Division Chairman launching the "Let's Embrace Health" Campaign.

Photo 2 :
Dr Tan Chik Heok, Principal of TAR College giving a speech before the launching of the health campaign.

Photo 3 :
Two students putting up a performance together, making music with their vocal chords and saxophone.

On 11 May 2012, Tunku Abdul Rahman College ('TAR College') had the privilege to have one of the most celebrated corporate figures, Y Bhg Tan Sri Dato' Dr Francis Yeoh, Managing Director of YTL Corporation Bhd and Executive Chairman of YTL Communications Sdn Bhd, to give a talk on "Power Yourself with Mobile Internet". This is part of the 'Hot Talk' series by TAR College's Centre for Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) with the purpose of giving students the opportunity to broaden their intellectual and personal outlook.

In his presentation, Tan Sri Dato' Dr Yeoh spoke about the importance of technology and its power in revolutionising the world. He briefly spoke about the history of how information was communicated, from the Stone Age with drawings on cave walls, to the printing press, right up to the digital media we use today. He continued by elaborating on how people can use technology to be productive and stressed that "Those who successfully harness and capitalise on technology will progress faster".

In between the talk, Tan Sri Dato' Dr Yeoh also launched the LightBulb, a campaign that seeks to gather the brilliant ideas from students and provide funding to turn ideas into reality.

The talk was well-received by the students who were cheering on Y Bhg Tan Sri Dato' Dr Yeoh as he spoke. Towards the end of the talk, there was a quiz session where students who answered questions correctly were given a free Huddle from YTL YES 4G.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 :
Tan Sri Dato' Dr Francis Yeoh talking about technology and mobile internet.

Photo 2 :
Tan Sri Dato' Dr Yeoh receiving a gift from TAR College Principal, Dr Tan Chik Heok, on behalf of the College.

Photo 3 :
Senior College officials and staff from YTL taking a group photo with the speaker after the talk.

Photo 4 :
Tan Sri Dato' Dr Francis Yeoh (centre) taking time to speak to some of the students after the event as Dr Tan Chik Heok looks on.

TAR College continues to celebrate a tradition of excellence where students achieve remarkable results in their academic pursuits. Lee Bee Suat, a Year 1 Advanced Diploma in Business Studies (Finance & Investment) student, has garnered the FPAM Excellence Award after scoring the highest mark for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Module 1 Examination.

The CFP Module 1 is a summary of financial planning as a whole. It includes an overview of financial planning, economic environment and its impact on financial planning, investment planning, risk management and insurance planning, retirement and estate planning, income taxation planning, basis of financial plan and code of ethics.

The programme she is undertaking now at TAR College has imbibed her with a thorough and clear understanding of concepts. With the strong foundation provided by the course, she is able to apply and link what she has learnt in class and this has helped her in achieving the enviable score in the CFP Module 1 Examination.

In addition, she commented: "The lecturers here are really dedicated. Their excellent teaching approach helps us in understanding the subject matter and preparing us well for the examination. The course is conducted step by step to ensure thorough grasp".

This accomplishment certainly reflects on TAR College's excellent delivery of holistic education to students seeking an all-rounded education and a fulfilling career.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 :
Lee Bee Suat beaming with joy.

Ho Rui You, a student from the School of Pre-University Studies of TAR College recently emerged as one of the top 8 finalists in the prestigious National Geographic Channel Young Photographer Awards 2012.

Due to this win, this young lad of the A Levels (Science) programme was invited to attend a photography seminar conducted by renowned National Geographic Photographer, Ira Block in early May. On top of that, he won himself a Canon EOS 600D DSLR camera and also a 4 nights' stay in Bali, Indonesia where he will attend an exclusive photography trail that will be conducted by Canon Singapore's resident photographer, Jino Lee.

The tough competition drew in many photograph submissions from photography enthusiasts all over Singapore and Malaysia. Sixty of these photographs were short-listed and judged for its creativity and originality, among other aspects.

Ho Rui You first dabbled in the art of photography four years ago and he started out with just a modest digital camera. Over the years, he improved his photography skills through self-learning and exploration. He also picked up some of the skills from his peers who were into photography.

When asked how he juggled studies with his hobby, he said: "The lecturers here at TAR College are very dedicated and they would go the extra mile to guide us in our studies. Thus, with the effective learning that I obtain at TAR College, I also have time to indulge in my hobby. My lecturers and the school staff also encourage me whole-heartedly to go with my passion in photography".

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 :
Ho Rui You with his new prize.

Photo 2 :
His winning entry was a picture of a burning incense taken at a temple.