Marking golden anniversary
Alumni planning concert to celebrate TAR UC turning 50
SOME of Choong Cheong Vong’s fondest memories were made when he was a student at Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) in 1996.
Strolling through the institution’s Kuala Lumpur campus, Choong said there were plenty of good and fun times he shared with friends during his time here which remains dear to his heart.
“You don’t need a reason to return home. Coming home always brings back good memories,” he said, adding that he would always opt to walk through TAR UC’s campus rather than drive from block to block whenever he visits.
Choong, now a successful composer, songwriter and record producer for many famous artistes such as Fish Leong, Ah Niu and Michael & Victor, is one of the institution’s alumni who has willingly returned to help plan and coordinate a concert that will be held as part of the intstitution’s anniversary celebration.
Half a century and 200,000 graduates later, TAR UC, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in style on March 16 and 17 at its main campus in Kuala Lumpur.
The concert which Choong is planning and choreographing, along with fellow alumni Chong Keat Aun, an award winning film director and former radio DJ, will be held on the evening of March 16.
It will feature songs from the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s which were written by the Red Bricks Society – a song-composing society in TAR UC – which Choong and Chong were part of.
Chow Kam Leong, a well-known songwriter, composer, record producer, artiste manager and musician, has also been roped in to help with the concert.
TAR UC president Prof Dr Lee Sze Wei called on alumni to return as a meaningful and nostalgic anniversary celebration awaits them.
“Our alumni and existing students would be performing the songs written by the Red Bricks Society.
“Seat availability is on a firstcome, first-served basis, but priori- ty is given to our alumni,” he said.
Meanwhile, Choong said besides planning the concert, he would work together with Chong and Chow to “breathe new life” into TAR UC’s anthem “Laman” which was recorded in 1993.
The new anthem which Prof Lee plans to sing as well, will have a new and updated video to match.
Set up in 1969 and named Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC) before it was invited to upgrade to university college status in 2013 and subsequently became Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC).
The institution has carved a reputation for academic excellence and holistic education. The alumni are known as Tarcians.
Besides the concert, Prof Lee said the two-day celebration would also include a forum where local and international education experts would speak at, sporting activities, sharing sessions, showcases and a variety of workshops.
He said that Tarcians could also book their favourite lecture hall or classroom to have their “mini gathering” on campus grounds during the anniversary celebration.
“Let us know, and we’ll settle the logistics for you,” he told a press conference at TAR UC’s Kuala Lumpur campus on Monday.
Many alumni have already booked their locations for their reunion party, he added.
He said last November that the celebrations would be held at all TAR UC campuses.
“This is to ensure alumni, students and staff in various parts of Malaysia can join the celebration if they cannot make it to the main campus,” he said.
Prof Lee hoped that Tarcians from around the world would also “come home” to attend the event.
He added that he hopes at least 10% of the 200,000 alumni would turn up during the celebration.
“These alumni have gone on to become professionals, national leaders and successful entrepreneurs nationally and globally.
“Walking tours of the campus will also be conducted to allow the alumni to see how much their alma mater has improved,” said Prof Lee.
Those who wish to attend the event can register at www.tarc. edu.my.
For more information, contact Chan Choon Kit at 016-213 7766 or e-mail chanck@tarc.edu.my or Serene Ong at 03-4145 3456 or e-mail ongwm@tarc.edu.my.