26 January 2007
 
STAYING AHEAD OF THE TIMES
 
Set up in 1972, the School of Arts and Science (SAS) of Tunku Abdul Rahman College has continuously integrated exploration and innovation into its teaching and learning processes which in turn have produced graduates who are enterprising, creative, and socially adaptable professionals.
 
Being a forward looking school driven by the zeal to stay ahead, SAS continues to reinvent itself by introducing new and diverse courses that are underpinned by innovation and relevance in the fields of science, information technology and microelectronics.
 
 
Dato’ Kong Cho Ha, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, (4th from left), flanked by Ms Walsh, Manager of Cisco Systems (3rd from left) and Ms Yoong, College Principal (5th from left) touring one of the Cisco laboratories during the launching.  
 
The Chemistry & Biology, Microelectronics & Physics and Computer Science Divisions constantly review and revise the syllabi and curricula to embrace the current changes. The broad coverage of the Chemistry and Biology course provides a sound foundation that enables students to be flexible and versatile in the choice of career and further studies. The course is also supported by state-of-the-art equipment and facilities in laboratories and high-grade laboratory equipment similar to those used in commercial and research laboratories. This enables students to practice on industrial standard equipment thereby ensuring a seamless transition to their work environment when they graduate.
 
The Science and Information Technology courses provide a balanced emphasis on both academic and hands-on training. The IT field is one of the most robust and constant upgrading of software and hardware is a necessity in order for students to have the most up-to-date training. In view of this, the College has recently set up four new networking laboratories to incorporate the Cisco Certified Networking Associate Programme (Netacad - CCNA) into a number of its courses. Students will benefit from the value-added programmes which encompass industry-relevant knowledge and skill as well as certification from a well-known academy, namely the Cisco Networking Academy.
 
Apart from that, the Microelectronics & Physics courses equip students with a solid knowledge for IC Design, Computer Communications and Automatic Control. Students interested in the field of computer science may choose from a suite of courses, each one with its own area of focus and specialization such as Information Systems Engineering, Business Information Systems, Internet Technology, Computer Science & Statistics, Computer Science & Management Mathematics and Computer Science & Computer Mathematics. The hands-on laboratory sessions ensure that there is effective acquisition of skills in the utilisation of software tools and technology such as ASP.Net, VB.Net, Java, Linux, Oracle, SQL Server, Crystal Report and other industry-relevant skills.
 
As the nation marches towards becoming a developed country, there is also a growing need for professionals in the discipline of sports and exercise science. In addressing this need, SAS introduced the Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science programme in 2006. This course covers a broad range of sports-related topics which include basic anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, coaching skills, training methodology, nutrition, sociology, motor learning and basic management. The College has an ideal setting for such a course as it is well-equipped with sports and recreational facilities such as an Olympic-sized swimming pool, gymnasium, squash courts and a sports complex that comprises rooftop tennis courts, basketball courts, and badminton courts.
 
Students’ practical learning experience gained through hands-on practice in laboratories with industry standard equipment are further complemented with industrial placements in a variety of companies such as Sime Darby Technology Centre, Institute of Medical Research, Forest Research of Malaysia (FRIM), Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Malaysia Palm Oil Board, and many others.
 
This solid grounding has enabled students from SAS to bag many awards in the past. The year 2006 was no different as its Information Systems Engineering students emerged 2nd Runners Up in the national-level Malaysia Imagine Cup 2006 Competition competing against universities such as UTAR, USM, UKM, and MMU.
 
 
Second runners up at Microsoft Imagine Cup .... Our winners, (from left) Boon Kiat, Ming Teik, Shu Wen, and Hong Chiang posing with the mock cheque presented by Dr. Dzaharudin Mansor, National Technology Officer, Microsoft Malaysia (extreme left)   Moments of excitement and anticipation .... students eagerly conducting their experiment on DNA.
 
Apart from the multi-disciplinary courses available, another attraction of studying in SAS is that students can obtain a Bachelor of Science degree from Campbell University without having to go overseas. At the advanced diploma level, students are also prepared for the Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree conducted by SAS in conjunction with Campbell University, USA. Campbell University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, USA to award the BS Degree conducted at Tunku Abdul Rahman College.
 
Interested to find out more? TAR College is having Open Day at all its campuses from 9th to 18th March 2007 (9am to 5pm). Application forms for the May intake are available at all campuses as well as online.
 
For more information, please contact the College at the following numbers: 03-41450123/0100 (KL Main Campus), 04-8995230 (Penang Branch Campus), 05-4660388 (Perak Branch Campus), 07-9270801 (Johor Branch Campus), 09-2314185 (Pahang Branch Campus) and 088-224229 (Sabah Branch Campus), or visit the College website: http://www.tarc.edu.my.
 
 
 
 
For more information, please contact:
 
Ms Chong Yee Li
Communications & Marketing Officer
Department of Development and External Relations
(03) 4145-0100/23 ext 391
ylchong@mail.tarc.edu.my
 
 
Mr Aaron Chan Jin Ho
Manager
Communications & Marketing Department of Development and External Relations
(03) 4145-0100/23 ext 479
chanjh@mail.tarc.edu.my