Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TAR College), a premier institution of higher learning with 41 years of excellence is fully committed to enhance graduates employability through placing industry relevance in its curriculum development. In line with this holistic education, TAR College has collaborated with KPMG, one of the big Four Accounting firms on a special Soft Skills Development Programme, exclusively for its Advanced Diploma Accounting students.

YB Dr Hou Kok Chung, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education officiated the launch of the TAR College – KPMG Soft Skills Development Programme at the KL Main Campus on 11 June 2010, in the presence of senior College officials, KPMG representatives, invited guests, college staff and students.

YB Dr Hou in his speech at the launch said, “The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has implemented the Generic Skill Attributes (GSAs) in the curriculum of higher education institutions as a measure to mould our graduates not only to be knowledgeable but effective communicators with good values and character who can contribute to national progress and development. The GSAs constitute seven important elements i.e. communication skills, critical skills and problem solving, team work skills, continuous learning and information management, entrepreneurship skills, moral and professional ethics and leadership skills.”

He added that the TAR College – KPMG Soft Skills Development Programme is an exemplary model of industry–academia collaboration that focuses on developing the students’ soft skills and will help to nurture accounting students to become successful professionals.

This 5-module Skills Development Programme will cover Personal Paradigm and Principle, Personal Leadership, Interpersonal Leadership, Effective Team Work & Collaboration, Motivation and Working with EQ, plus a presentation of a final group project. Upon successful completion of the Programme, each trainee will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement jointly endorsed by TAR College and KPMG.

Dr Tan Chik Heok, the Principal of TAR College who was also present at the launch elaborated that the College has produced, through its School of Business Studies (Accounting Division) more than 5,000 accounting graduates and this represented a significant percentage of ACCA members as well as professionally qualified accountants in Malaysia. He also said that the Programme will contribute immensely to the accounting profession and sets the tone towards the further development of accounting curriculum in the academic environment.