Leading ground for success
TUNKU Abdul Rahman University College (TAR University College) has established itself as one of the leading providers of the Cambridge GCE A-Levels programme in Malaysia. This programme is conducted by the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).
Since the commencement of the A-Levels programme in 1987, the Centre for PreUniversity Studies (CPUS) in TAR University College has produced many highperforming students who have excelled in their examinations. These students have been accepted into top-notch universities in the world such as University of Oxford, University of Cambridge and National University of Singapore.
From its humble beginnings of just 49 students, the A-Levels programme has grown by leaps and bounds. Now 27 years old, TAR University College has become one of the largest A-Levels providers in the country.
“We have always believed in the importance of having a quality preuniversity education as a requisite to gaining entry into world-class universities,” says Looi Li Chin, head of the Centre for Pre-University Studies. “A student needs a strong foundation to prepare him or her for the challenges of further tertiary education and the A-Levels programme is possibly the strongest preparation for an undergraduate degree.”
TAR University College students have consistently shown stellar performance in their overall grades in the A-Levels examination and have won prestigious scholarships offered by private and governmental bodies and universities from around the world.
There have been many success stories throughout the years with students achieving unrivalled feats. One of them is Phung Cheng Shyong, who scored five A*s in the A-Levels (Science) programme in 2013. In the recent A-Levels examinations in June last year, Lee Jong Wey, a student from A-Levels (Science), scored four A*s while Hassan Ali Huzam from A-Levels (Arts) scored three A*s.
Many of TAR University College’s A-Levels high achievers have outperformed others in the past eight years, catapulting them to the “top in the world” and “top in Malaysia” titles of the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards.
Last year, four students were awarded “top in the world” titles for mathematics in the AS Level June examination. Two other students were awarded the “top in Malaysia” titles for general paper and computing respectively in the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards 2014.
TAR University College has also registered an impressive A-Levels pass percentage of 97.3% and 34% of the students obtained excellent results of A-A-B and above in the June Cambridge GCE A-Level examination last year.
The percentages are a result of a consistent upward trajectory of the institution’s A-Levels performance since its inception. These excellent achievements are proof that TAR University College’s A-Levels programme provides students a strong academic grounding, allowing for a successful progression into tertiary education.
“Since the introduction of the A-Levels programme in TAR University College in 1987, our teaching faculty has demonstrated its utmost commitment and the students’ excellent results are a testimony of our strength in the programme delivery,” says Datuk Dr Tan Chik Heok, president of TAR University College.
“Our track record speaks for itself. Many of our students have emerged top in the world and in Malaysia and have gained admission to some of the world’s most selective universities,” he continues. “Moving forward, the Centre for Pre-University Studies will continue to scale greater heights in its quest to make TAR University College the definitive institution in providing A-Levels education.”
For more information, visit www.tarc.edu.my or TAR University College Open Day from March 2 to 22 (9.30am – 5pm) at the Kuala Lumpur Main Campus.