TARC is an IPTS. To be recognised by JPA, the diplomas (at TARC) and degrees (at UTAR) must be accredited by LAN.

Surprise...surprise!! not many programmes at TARC or UTAR is accredited. They only have approval of minimum standard. This means that they are not recognised by JPA.

Only 199 of 533 IPTS have courses that are accredited by LAN. AND TARC is NOT one of them (however, UTAR is).

Check out this link for list of courses at accredited by LAN: http://www.lan.gov.my/english/index2eng.htm

Another surprise is that UTAR only has 11 courses accredited (including 1 at their Setapak campus) out of the over 50 degree programmes on offer. That's less than 20% accredited and hence recognised by JPA.

Just check out www.utar.edu.my and roam under academic> faculty.
Look for the LAN codes. A = accredited; KA  = not accredited but had been submitted for approval; KN = submitted just for approval. The last few digits are the date when the course approval expires 5/07 means expiry in may 2007.

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Added on January 30, 2007, 7:36 pm

Just check out the LAN website www.lan.gov.my and Ministry website www.mohe.gov.my.

It's 100% confirmed that TARC and UTAR are NOT IPTAs. They need accreditation and approval from LAN and the Ministry. That's why when you check the UTAR website or TAR website, they include the JPS and LAN codes.

I've copied and attached a sample here from utar website:

Courses Offered 
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Graphic Design and Multimedia
KP/JPS(KA7217) 7/11

Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Chinese Studies
KP/JPS(KN3339) 5/07

Bachelor of Arts (Hons) English Language
KP/JPS(KA5857) 2/10

Let me teach you how to read these codes:
KP = Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi
JPS = Jabatan Pendidikan Swasta (which means UTAR is IPTS = "swasta")
KA number = submitted for accreditation but NOT YET received accreditation
2/10 = approval expires in february 2010.

Sorry to tell you, my friend. What you heard is wrong.

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Added on January 30, 2007, 7:38 pmAnother indication of whether an institution is an IPTS or IPTA is the mode of application.

For entry into IPTA: you need to fill-in the "UPU form" and get it processed by BPKP.

For IPTS, you just call and the marketing people will enroll you.