estimated that it would require RM 20 million to set up the college, and the government agreed to provide the financial assistance on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman consented to the college being named for him. TAR College began operations on 24 February 1969 with its School of Pre-University Studies and an initial enrollment of 764 students. A 15 September 1972 Instrument of Government provided the legal framework for the administration of the college. Minister of Education Tun Hussein Onn presented the instrument to Tan Siew Sin, the first college president. To raise funds for a campus in Kuala Lumpur, the MCA launched a national fundraising campaign in 1972 led by MCA publicity director Lee San Choon. In February 1973, the government approved the allocation of land for the main Kuala Lumpur campus in Setapak. The ground-breaking ceremony was officiated by Rahman in August 1973. Phase one, including an administrative building, a library, two laboratory blocks, one large and eight small lecture theatres and a canteen, was completed in 1976. Fundraising activities in the 1990s, such as the nationwide TAR College Fund-Raising Campaign, Taxithon, Walkathon, TAR College Torch Run and Motorthon, were led by TAR College Council chairman Ling Liong Sik. Expansion continued under the leadership of TAR College Council chairmen Ong Ka Ting and Chua Soi Lek. Since its 2013 upgrade to a university college, TAR UC continued its steady development under the leadership of Liow Tiong Lai. The latest infrastructure development, a ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a Student Centre at the Kuala Lumpur Main Campus was held on 30 October 2021. Targeted to be completed in 2024, this Student Centre is a dedicated hub for students’ activities which will be equipped with many modern facilities and amenities and it is aimed at enhancing the multi-dimensional learning for students. The Student Centre is a 7-storey building with total built-up area of 1,470,832 sqft comprising 1,408 car parking lots. Institutional Awards Asia Pacific CSR Awards 2016 TAR UC was accorded the Excellence in Education Improvement award in the Asia Pacific CSR Awards 2016 under the award category of Socially Responsible Company in Education Improvement on 27 September 2016. Premier Digital Technology Institution TAR UC was recognised with the Premier Digital Tech Institution status by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and the Ministry of Higher Education in 2017. This status was renewed again in