College Principal honoured by UK University

2nd May 2013

The Principal of one of Malaysia's oldest and most well-established colleges has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University (UK).

Dr Tan Chik Heok, Principal of Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC) in Kuala Lumpur was awarded the accolade during this year's TARC graduation ceremonies, which saw 2,100 students from the College collect degrees. Dr Tan has overseen huge development at the College in his time as its Principal, helping to increase student numbers and develop a fruitful partnership with Sheffield Hallam University. Dr Tan has a PhD in physics from the University of Malaya and has worked at TARC for over 20 years, starting his career there as a lecturer in the School of Arts and Science. He was appointed as Head of the Microelectronics and Physics Division in 1995, before becoming Head of School in 2000, and then Principal in 2008. Dr Tan said: "I'm delighted to share this honour with staff and students of TARC. I hope the graduates will continue the tradition of TARC in being hard-working and passionate about what they do at all times." The majority of students graduating at the two ceremonies were TARC students who have completed the Sheffield Hallam Undergraduate Progression Programme, which enables students who have studied an advanced diploma at TARC to go to Sheffield Hallam, where they are able to top-up their diploma to a full degree qualification. Sheffield Hallam's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Philip Jones, officiated the ceremonies and conferred Dr Tan's honorary doctorate during the ceremony on Sunday 28 April.