Introduction
UTAR’s Vision
To be a global university of educational and research excellence with transformative societal impact.
Mission
UTAR is committed to achieving the vision through:
- Universal values in our beliefs
- Tenacity and resilience in overcoming challenges
- Agility in facing new frontiers
- Responsibility and commitment in pursuit of excellence
UTAR is also guided by its Six Educational Pillars which have been incorporated into the University culture since 2008:
- Virtue and Morality
- Knowledge and Intellect
- Physical and Mental Health
- Sociality and Humanitarianism
- Aesthetics and Harmony
- Creativity and Innovation
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) was officially launched on 13 August 2002 as a not-for-profit private university providing affordable quality education. It is established under the UTAR Education Foundation and registered under the Malaysian Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996.
Guided by its vision to be a global university of educational excellence, UTAR is highly reputed as one of the fastest growing private higher education institutions in the country with phenomenal growth in all aspects of its development since its inception. With the first intake of only 411 students in its Petaling Jaya campus in 2002, the University’s enrolment has now reached about 20,000 students with campuses located in Kampar, Perak and Bandar Sungai Long, Selangor.
UTAR has graduated over 86,900 students since its inaugural convocation in 2005 and has made impressive strides in establishing a strong reputation as a comprehensive University with dedication to achieving excellence in teaching and research. The University currently offers over 140 academic programmes from Foundation Studies to Bachelor's, Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s, and PhD degrees in the fields of Accounting, Business and Economics, Actuarial Science, Mathematics and Process Management, Agriculture and Food Science, Arts, Social Sciences and Education, Creative Industries and Design, Engineering and Built Environment, Information and Communication Technology, Life and Physical Sciences, Chinese Studies, and Medicine and Health Sciences.
UTAR Kampar Campus
UTAR’s main campus in Kampar was built on a 1300-acre piece of land donated by the Perak State Government. It is located in the growing township of Bandar Barat Kampar in Perak. Strategically located off the North-South highway, UTAR Kampar Campus is 190 km from Kuala Lumpur which is slightly over two hours away from the city by car. The Campus welcomed its first intake of students in May 2007.
Flanked by picturesque mountains, dotted with scenic lakes and located within a growing township, UTAR Kampar Campus offers a conducive and serene learning environment. This Campus features modern educational facilities and provides students with access to some of the latest learning technologies and research innovations. In addition, the Campus has facilities for sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis and a gymnasium. The spacious campus grounds are also ideal for jogging and cycling.
The following faculties, centres and institutes are located in UTAR Kampar Campus:
- Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS)
- Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF)
- Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT)
- Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FICT)
- Faculty of Science (FSc)
- Centre for Extension Education (CEE)
- Centre for Corporate and Community Development (CCCD)
- Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS)
- Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS)
- Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research (IPSR)
The construction of Phase Two of the UTAR Kampar campus was completed in mid- 2012. With the completion of Phase Two, there are now 15 buildings in this lake-view campus including a grand hall with a seating capacity of 4,000, lecture theatres, tutorial rooms, a cafeteria, and the creation of more parking spaces.
Visitors to the panoramic UTAR Kampar Campus will unmistakably catch a glimpse of the exceptionally striking grand hall erected with architectural finesse on a 12,000-square metre plot of land. This palatial hall was built to commemorate UTAR's 10th anniversary and it was named after its illustrious founder, YABhg Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik who is now the Chancellor of UTAR.
Dewan Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik
Another unique feature in UTAR Kampar Campus is a pair of bronze sculptures; one of Confucius and the other of Einstein. These two imposing sculptures are located in front of Heritage Hall and weigh a total of 580kg. These sculptures symbolise UTAR's belief in the universality of learning and thinking with the convergence of wisdoms from both the East and the West.
The bronze sculptures
Lakeside view of UTAR Kampar Campus
Institute of Postgraduate Studies & Research Labs
Institute of Chinese Studies
UTAR Sungai Long Campus
The UTAR Sungai Long Campus is located in Bandar Sungai Long, a main township in Kajang, Selangor. It is a purpose-built campus with surrounding facilities and services that support banking, housing, public transport, shopping and meals for the convenience of the students.
On 1 June 2015, UTAR relocated its campuses and offices from Setapak, Kuala Lumpur and Section 13 Petaling Jaya to its own campus in Sungai Long in a move to consolidate and strengthen the University’s presence in the Klang Valley. This move to Sungai Long was one of the most defining moments in UTAR’s history as the University continues its next decade of excellence in education.
The UTAR Sungai Long Campus houses the Mary KUOK Pick Hoo Library and the following faculties, centres and institutes:
- Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM)
- M Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (MK FMHS)
- Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI)
- Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES)
- Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS)
- Centre for Extension Education (CEE)
- Centre for Corporate and Community Development (CCCD)
- Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS)
- Institute of Management and Leadership Development (IMLD)
- Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research (IPSR)
UTAR Quick Facts
- Nine faculties, four centres and three institutes
- 36 Research Centres
- UTAR Global Research Network
- Over 140 academic programmes from foundation studies, undergraduate to postgraduate
- More than 690 memoranda with industry partners and universities from 30 economies
- Nine Endowed Chairs/Professorships in key research areas since 2009
- International students from 45 economies
- Around 95-97% graduate employability rate (within 6 months upon graduation as of March 2023)
- More than 120 external examiners from 19 economies
- More than 150 industry advisors
- More than 2,000 academic and administrative staff
- Over 86,900 alumni
- More than 374 international and national awards received by students in 2022
- 108 student clubs and societies
- ISO 9001 certified and MSC status
- More than 316,000 volumes of books, publications and numerous online resources
- Tier 5 (Excellent) in D-SETARA for Engineering
- Tier 4 (Very Good) in D-SETARA for Health Sciences
Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings
2025
- #1001-1200 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025
2024
- #1001-1200 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024
- #301-350 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2024
- #301-350 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings 2024
- #301-400 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2024
- #87 for SDG4: Quality Education in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2024
- #70 for SDG17: Partnerships for the Goals in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2024
- #301-400 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2024 for Education
- #601-800 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2024 for Business and Economics
- #601-800 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2024 for Clinical and Health
- #601-800 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2024 for Social Sciences
- #801-1000 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2024 for Computer Science
- #801-1000 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2024 for Engineering
- #801-1000 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2024 for Physical Sciences
2023
- #1001-1200 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023
- #301-350 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2023
- #301-350 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings 2023
- #301-400 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2023
- #86 for SDG4: Quality Education in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2023
- #301-400 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2023 for Education
- #501-600 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2023 for Business and Economics
- #501-600 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2023 for Social Sciences
- #601-800 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2023 for Computer Science
- #801-1000 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2023 for Engineering
- #801-1000 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2023 for Physical Sciences
2022
- #1001-1200 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2022
- #401-500 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Emerging Economies University Rankings 2022
- #351-400 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2022
- #351-400 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings 2022
- #201-300 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2022
- #77 for SDG4: Quality Education in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2022
- #601-800 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2022 for Computer Science
- #601-800 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2022 for Engineering
- #601+ in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2022 for Business and Economics
- #601+ in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2022 for Social Sciences
- #801-1000 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2022 for Physical Sciences
2021
- #501-600 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2021
- #=144 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Emerging Economies University Rankings 2021
- #119 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2021
- #147 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings 2021
- #201-300 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2021
- #74 for SDG4: Quality Education in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2021
- #501-600 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2021 for Business and Economics
- #601-800 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2021 for Engineering
- #801-1000 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2021 for Physical Sciences
2020
- #501-600 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2020
- #=138 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Emerging Economies University Rankings 2020
- #119 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2020
- #101-150 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings 2020
- #201-300 in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings 2020
- #33 for SDG4: Quality Education in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2020
- #601-800 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2020 for Engineering and Technology
- #501+ in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2020 for Business and Economics
2019
- #501-600 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2019
- #=117 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Emerging Economies University Rankings 2019
- #111 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2019
- #111-120 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia-Pacific University Rankings 2019
- #101-150 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings 2019
- #101-200 in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings 2019
2018
- #501-600 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2018 Top 1,000 list
- #=114 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Emerging Economies University Rankings 2018
- #99 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2018
- #111-120 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia-Pacific University Rankings 2018
- #101-150 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings 2018
2017
- #111-120 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2017
- #101-150 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings 2017
- =14 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings 2017: Millennial universities
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings
2025
- #801-850 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2025
- #304 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2025 Employer Reputation
- #131 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2025
2024
- #801-850 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2024
- #269 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2024 Employer Reputation
- #160 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2024
- #38 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2024: South-Eastern Asia 2024
- #101-150 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2024 for Petroleum Engineering
- #451-500 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2024 for Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- #501-550 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2024 for Business and Management Studies
- #501-550 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2024 for Economics and Econometrics
2023
- #801-1000 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2023
- #302 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2023 Employer Reputation
- #401-450 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings: Sustainability 2023
- #174 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2023
2022
- #801-1000 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2022
- #167 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2022
- #323 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2022 Employer Reputation
- #201-250 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Graduate Employability Rankings 2022
- #451-500 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2022 for Business and Management Studies
- #451-500 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2022 for Engineering - Electrical and Electronic
2021
- #801-1000 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2021
- #157 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2021
- #401-450 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2021 for Business and Management Studies
- #451-500 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2021 for Engineering - Electrical and Electronic
2020
- #801-1000 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2020
- #=181 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2020
- #251-300 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Graduate Employability Rankings 2020
2019
- #=188 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2019
2018
- #251-260 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2018
2016
- Top three Malaysian universities for number of citations per paper in 2015 as released by Quacquarelli Symonds' (QS) Intelligence Unit and announced in 2016
U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings 2024 - 2025
- #1281 in Best Global Universities 2024-2025
- #428 in Best Global Universities in Asia 2024-2025
- #15 in Best Global Universities in Malaysia 2024-2025
- #569 in Engineering Subject Rankings 2024-2025
U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings 2022 - 2023
- #1835 in Best Global Universities 2022-2023
- #716 in Best Global Universities in Asia 2022-2023
- #13 in Best Global Universities in Malaysia 2022-2023
- #889 in Engineering Subject Rankings 2022-2023
UI GreenMetric World University
Rankings
- 115th World's Most Sustainable University in UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2023
- 91st World's Most Sustainable University in UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2022
- 84th World's Most Sustainable University in UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2021
- 106th World's Most Sustainable University in UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2020
- 102nd World's Most Sustainable University in UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2019
Rating System for
Malaysian Higher Education Institutions (SETARA)
- Rated Competitive in the "Mature University" Category under the Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education Institutions (SETARA) 2022
- 5-Star (Very Competitive) for the "Mature University" category under the Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education Institutions (SETARA) 2018/2019
- 5-Star (Excellent) for the "Emerging University" category under the Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education Institutions 2017 (SETARA'17)
Talentbank
- Top 3 in Graduate Employability for three consecutive years from 2022 to 2024 for Employers' Choice of University at Talentbank National Graduate Employability Index 2024
- Top 3 in Graduate Employability in Malaysia at the Talentbank National Graduate Employability Index 2024 (Among Public & Private Universities)
- Top 3 in Graduate Employability in Malaysia at the Talentbank National Graduate Employability Index 2024 (Among Private Universities)
- Fifth Place in Private Higher Education Category for the Graduates' Choice of Employers to Work For 2024 at Talentbank Graduates' Choice of Employer
- Top 3 in Graduate Employability in Malaysia at the Talentbank National Graduate Employability Index 2023 (Among Public & Private Universities)
- Top 3 in Graduate Employability in Malaysia at the Talentbank National Graduate Employability Index 2023 (Among Private Universities)
- Fifth Place in Private Higher Education Category for the Most Preferred Graduate Employers to Work For 2023 at Talentbank Graduates' Choice of Employer
- Top 3 in Graduate Employability in Malaysia at the Talentbank National Graduate Employability Index 2022
- Second Place in Education Category for the Most Attractive Graduate Employers to Work For 2021 at Talentbank Graduates' Choice Award (GCA)
- Third Place in the Education category at the Talentbank Graduates Choice Awards (GCA) 2019
Nanyang Education Award
- Outstanding Educational Institutions Award at the Nanyang Education Award 2022
Sin Chew Education
Awards
- Sin Chew Education Awards (SCEA) 2018/2019 for Outstanding Educational Institutions in the Private Universities/Colleges Category
- CSR Excellence Award at the Sin Chew Business Excellence Award (SCBEA) 2017 for Corporate Social Responsibility Category
National Education and Learning Summit
- Asian University Excellence Award at the National Education and Learning Summit 2024 organised by KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific (KSI) and National Association of Private Educational Institutions (NAPEI)
Self-accreditation status by
Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA)
- Self-accreditation status awarded by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) since 2017
Premier Digital Tech
University status
- Premier Digital Tech University status awarded by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) since 2019
Putra Aria Brand Awards
- Gold Award under Education and Learning category at the Putra Aria Brand Awards 2023
Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT) Awards
- MBOT Partnership Excellence Award 2024 by the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT)
- MBOT Supportive University/College Award 2019 by the Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT)
Others
- Third (Education Category) at Malaysia's 100 Leading Graduate Employers Awards Presentation 2020
- Best Employer Award 2015 under Kajang District by Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP)
- UTAR 10-Year Strategic Plan (2013-2022)
- 2013 PAM Malaysia (Malaysian Institute of Architects) Gold Award (Education Category/Architectural Excellence) for UTAR Kampar Campus
Our University
programmes conducted are recognised by local and international professional
bodies such as Alliance on Business Education and Scholarship for Tomorrow a 21st century organisation (ABEST21), Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB), Association of
Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), UK, Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM),
Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM), Board of Valuers, Appraisers, Estate Agents and Property Managers (BOVAEP), Chartered Institute of Management
Accountants (CIMA), UK, Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), UK, Certified
Public Accountants (CPA), Australia, Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia
(CTIM), Financial Planning Association of Malaysia (FPAM), The Institute of
Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), Institute of Chartered
Secretaries and Administrators, UK (ICSA), Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (Board of
Architects Malaysia), The Society of Logisticians Malaysia (LogM), Malaysian
Association of Company Secretaries (MACS), Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT), Malaysian Institute of Accountants
(MIA), Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA), Multimedia Super Corridor Status (MSC), Royal
Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), UK, Royal Society of Chemistry
(RSC), UK, Society of Actuaries (SOA), USA, and The Chartered Institute of
Logistics and Transport (CILT).
Updated as at 07 November 2024