It’s Han Chiang University College now
Master’s degree part of 10 new programmes offered by institution
PUTRAJAYA: With the upgrade of Han Chiang College to a university college, the higher education institution will offer 10 new programmes, including one master’s degree course.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh handed over the approval letter to Penang Han Chiang Associated Chinese Schools Association chairman Datuk Seri Ooi Soo Hing at the ministry here yesterday, witnessed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The institution’s chief executive officer and principal Dr James Beh Kok Hooi said the Penang establishment – now officially Han Chiang University College of Communication – is targeting to increase student enrolment from the current 800 to 1,200.
“We can now offer homegrown degree and master’s degree programmes after attaining the university college status, in addition to our existing eight diplomas, one foundation and three 3+0 degree programmes,” he said.
Back in April 2013, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had announced that the college would be upgraded to university college during his visit to Penang.
In December 2014, Han Chiang College, which is wellknown for its communication programmes, received a formal invitation from the ministry to be upgraded to a university college.
The college then embarked on a series of changes to fulfil the requirements for the upgrade.
“Besides improving school facilities, we also expanded our paidup capital and increased the number of doctorate holders among our academic staff by 15%,” Dr Beh said.
Describing the upgrade as a milestone for Han Chiang, Dr Wee said this was good news for the aspirations of the Chinese community.
“Han Chiang’s board of directors ensured that the institution’s academic excellence is maintained.
“I hope the board of directors will try its best to work together with the ministry and make Malaysia a centre of excellence for education,” he said.
Dr Wee added that Han Chiang is the third college built with the support of the community to attain a university college status, after New Era University College in Kajang, Selangor, and Southern University College in Skudai, Johor.
Han Chiang, which was established in 1999, had its roots in the journalism class offered by Han Chiang High School as a postsecondary school education programme.
It will start offering Diploma in Visual Arts and Design, Bachelor of Communication (Hons) in Advertising and BA (Hons) in Creative Multimedia courses next year.
Seven other programmes to be offered in stages in 2018 are Bachelor of Communication (Hons) in New Media, BA (Hons) in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, BA ( Hons) in Translation and Interpretation, BA (Hons) in Chinese Studies, Bachelor of Communication (Hons) in Media Production and Bachelor of Public Relations and Event Management (Hons), and Master of Management Science.
Besides improving school facilities, we also expanded our paid-up capital and increased the number of doctorate holders among our academic staff by 15%.
Dr James Beh Kok Hooi