UTAR was established in June 2002 through the UTAR Education Foundation, a non-for-profit organisation,[13] and a total of 411 students are enrolled in June 2002 for its first intake.
In July 2001, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), a monoethnic political party, received an invitation from the Malaysian Ministry of Education to establish a university.[16]Ling Liong Sik, the President of the MCA, chaired a committee that drew up a framework for the establishment of the university.[16] Another committee was formed to compile the necessary documents to receive approval from the local authorities.[16] The second committee was led by Ng Lay Swee, the Principal of Tunku Abdul Rahman University College, a tertiary education institution also established by the MCA, and it included Lai Fatt Sian, the Head of the School of Business Studies of the University College, who became the founding Dean of the UTAR Faculty of Accountancy and Management.[16] The university also established the Faculty of Arts and Social Science, led by Yeoh Suan Pow, and the Faculty of Information Communication and Technology, led by Tan Chik Heok. Ling Liong Sik was appointed Council Chairman of UTAR and Ng Lay Swee became the first President and CEO.[17]
In June 2002, UTAR opened its doors to the pioneer batch students on its first campus located in Section 13 of Petaling Jaya, on premises previously owned by the publisher of a local daily called The Star.[18]
Through the three newly established faculties, the university offered its first eight honours degree programmes[16] At that time, the Faculty of Accountancy and Management, under founding Dean Lai Fatt Sian, hosted more than 6,000 students.
UTAR once maintained campuses in Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur, but in June 2015 these were consolidated with the Sungai Long campus.[20][21]
Ng Lay Swee retired as the President on 31 March 2008. She was succeeded by Chuah Hean Teik.[22] Following her retirement, many pioneering staff members who worked with her from the inception of the university left the establishment as well.
Chuah Hean Teik retired as the President on 31 August 2019. He was succeeded by Ewe Hong Tat effective from 1 September 2019.[23][24]
Campuses
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman Kampar Campus has an area of 1,300 acres (2.03 square miles; 5.26 square kilometres), is one of the largest private universities in Malaysia.
Various departments and programs at UTAR are also recognized by professional associations and institutes across Malaysia, other Southeast Asian countries, Australia, the Commonwealth, and the United States.[27] The UTAR engineering degree programmes are recognized by the Board of Engineers Malaysia. This recognition allows UTAR engineering graduates to practice in 23 countries under the Washington Accord.
The international UI GreenMetric annually ranks universities on their sustainability performance in infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste, water, transportation, and education. The ranking is organised by the Universitas Indonesia. In 2022, UTAR was ranked 91st.[32]
The MQA is responsible for the Rating for Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia (SETARA) and the Discipline-Based Rating System (D-SETARA). In 2017, UTAR was rated Tier 5 (Excellence).[33]
UTAR Kampar Campus
UTAR Sungai Long Campus
FAS and ICS at Kampar Campus
