A group photo of all those present for the official launch of TAR UMT Sabah Branch at Alamesra, Kota Kinabalu. Front row (seventh to twelfth from left): Datuk Dr Pamela Yong, Member of the Board of Governors, TAR UMT, Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong, YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji, Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, Datuk Chong Sin Woon, Member of the Board of Governors, TAR UMT.
YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji signing the plaque while accompanied by Datuk Dr Pamela Yong (leftmost), Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy (third from left), Ms Chu Wen Tyng (fourth from left), Head of Sabah Branch, Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong (fifth from left), Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei (sixth from left) and Datuk Chong Sin Woon (rightmost).
(From left to right): Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong, YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji and Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy painting the mural at Sabah Branch.
On 24 February 2024, TAR UMT celebrated the official launch of its Sabah Branch in Alamesra, Kota Kinabalu, coinciding with the University’s Foundation Day. The journey of TAR UMT in Sabah began modestly in 2002, operating from Kian Kok Middle School with an initial intake of about 22 students. Over the years, the student population grew steadily, prompting the Branch to move to a larger facility in Donggongon, Penampang in 2007. The expansion culminated in the establishment of a spacious campus in Alamesra, Kota Kinabalu in 2020.
The official launch of the campus was honoured by the presence of the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji bin Haji Noor, who was welcomed by Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of TARC Education Foundation, Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, Chairman of the Board of Governors of TAR UMT and Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, President of TAR UMT. In his speech, Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji expressed, “I am happy to learn about TAR UMT’s ‘Beyond Education’ philosophy which not only emphasises academic excellence but also nurtures important competencies and develop civic values in its students. These are holistic developments that will empower students, especially the youths in Sabah not only to achieve their ambitions but to also contribute to the development of the State.”
Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee said the expansion of TAR UMT Sabah Branch provided more options for prospective students. “From having just four programmes at the Diploma and Certificate levels when the Branch was established in 2002, prospective students can now choose to study in one of the three undergraduate and eight diploma programmes. Certainly, we would have not achieved all these significant milestones without the support and assistance from the Sabah State Government,” he said.
Over the years, the students at Sabah Branch have increased to over 500 students enrolled in programmes offered by the Department of Computing and Information Technology, Department of Accountancy, Finance and Business, and the Department of Social Science and Humanities. Dr Wee also announced that TAR UMT Sabah Branch has received approval to admit international students and is actively forging strategic partnerships with industry players and academic institutions in the region to create networking opportunities that foster growth and development of its students. “TAR UMT Sabah Branch is a testament to the University’s commitment to support the State Government’s efforts in developing this region, particularly in nurturing highly skilled professionals who are capable of driving Sabah’s economy and further propelling this region’s development,” Dr Wee added.
For information about TAR UMT Sabah Branch, click here.
