Wee: TARUC’s name change only after upgrade

‘Committee will determine it once the institution becomes full-fledged varsity’

xiangyun@thestar.com.my

JOHOR BARU: A suitable name will be selected for the Tunku

Abdul Rahman University College (TARUC) when it becomes a full-fledged university, said MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic).

He said the committee overseeing status upgrade for TARUC, headed by MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, would determine the new name.

Dr Wee said the new name should not clash with TARUC’s sister institution – Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), both of which are MCA’s education assets.

He added that the committee was well on its way to meeting the criteria to upgrade TARUC ahead of the 2018 deadline set by the Higher Education Ministry in 2013, when Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin was the minister.

The committee was also studying what courses should be offered by TARUC, when it successfully upgrades into a university, to suit the needs of the current and future market, he said.

“The study was also to decide the niche areas of both institutions (UTAR and TARUC),” said Dr Wee after attending the Leng Suah Chee Temple Association’s 50th anniversary dinner in Bandar Seri Alam, on Sunday night.

Both TARUC and UTAR have a total of 51,000 students, added Dr Wee.

Mohamed Khaled, who also attended the dinner, reminded the Chinese community to practise moderation and tolerance, besides adopting the Team Johor spirit.

These qualities, he said, would help the state and country achieve its goals.

He also pointed out that the association’s milestone would not have been possible without the support of the community, the state government and former Johor Jaya assemblyman Tan Cher Puk.

Mohamed Khaled said Tan, who is his special aide for the Chinese community, had helped the temple obtain a plot of land for a hall to be built.

He also commended Tan’s tireless efforts to help not only the temple but the community, even after he lost his seat in GE13.

Mohamed Khaled light-heartedly urged the community to vote for Tan in the next general election.

“We need representatives like him,” he said.

“If you keep him around, I am sure he will be able to assist you in solving your problems in future,” he added.