About NEUC

New Era University College: An Introduction

New Era University College (NEUC) was established in 1997 following the closure of Nanyang University in Singapore in 1980. It was the outcome of many years of efforts in addition to unwavering support from the Malaysian Chinese community.


NEUC is a non-profit, private university college in Malaysia. On 30 December 2016, New Era was upgraded to University College status by the Ministry of Higher Education. This upgrading allows NEUC to offer its own undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. All courses offered by NEUC are approved by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). The qualifications awarded by NEUC are also accredited by the Chinese Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) under the mutual recognition of qualifications agreement between Malaysia and China. NEUC is also listed on China’s JSJ Study Abroad website. NEUC started its first dedicated class for international students from China in July 2020 and has welcomed more than 400 international students since then. Chinese postgraduate and undergraduate students make up the majority of international students, while other international students from countries such as Indonesia, India, Japan, South Korea, Myanmar, Laos, The United States of America, and Canada are also enrolled.


NEUC currently has nine faculties comprising of the Institute of International Education; the Graduate School; Arts and Social Sciences; Art and Design; Communication, Cinematic and Performing Arts; Accountancy, Management and Economics; Computer Science and Information Computing Technology; the Institute of Ageing and Professional Care; and Health, Safety, Security and Environment. New Era offers Master’s and PhD in ASEAN Studies (research-based), as well as research-based Master’s and PhD programmes in Chinese Studies, Education, Business Administration, and a coursework-based Master of Business Administration. In addition, the Faculty of Accounting, Management and Economics of New Era University College have been collaborating with Wrexham Glyndwr University from the United Kingdom to offer a joint dual degree programme since 2018. Additionally, the Department of Education has launched the only Bachelor of Education (Teaching Chinese as a Second Language) programme in Malaysia, while the Department of Chinese Language and Literature offers studies in a wide range of areas including China Studies and Local Chinese Studies and is highly recognized for its excellent scholarly expertise. It can be said that NEUC is a university with a strong team of scholars specialising in Chinese Studies and is perfectly situated to serve as a key provider of education in various areas of study to meet the needs of international students.


Over the past 20 years, NEUC has established industry-academia partnerships with over 500 Chinese companies and the number of students has increased by 51% since 2018. NEUC has established academic links and exchange programmes with more than 150 universities around the world as well as forming an advisory board consisting of Chinese experts and scholars. These efforts have enabled NEUC to become one of the preferred universities for collaborations between Malaysian and Chinese institutions. NEUC is also a Chinese–English bilingual university with a stimulating and safe learning environment imbued with elements of Chinese culture. An especially noteworthy feature of the campus is the Tan Lark Sye Library which houses the largest collection of Chinese language titles in the country. This includes special holdings such as the Fang Xiu Collection, the Lee Yip Lim Collection, the Yong Ching Fatt Collection, the Lee Kim Chong Collection, the Tay Lian Soo Collection, and the Nanyang University Resource Centre. These special collections are open for use by scholars and postgraduate students to conduct research on Chinese literature,education, and the community.


In 2019, NEUC released a Chinese campus music album entitled “Flying High” to foster student creativity and to create a vibrant campus life. This is the first student music album produced and fully funded by a university in the history of Malaysian music.


NEUC is a university that emphasizes the humanistic values of education and embraces its history while actively seeking new horizons and opportunities. It is the hope, the vision, and the values of NEUC that will make a strong impact and allow its presence felt not only in Malaysia,but also everywhere, as a reputable and leading university rooted in the spirit of Chinese culture.

The beginning

The idea of setting up New Era College came at a time when there was a desire among individuals and institutions to offer more opportunities for higher education to a growing number of college-age young men and women. Places were then limited in the public universities and studying overseas was expensive. Furthermore there were no tertiary educational institutions for those from the Chinese medium schools. Out of this concern, the Dong Jiao Zong, the Chinese education movement in Malaysia, moved to set up a private university.


In 1994 the Dong Jiao Zong registered a company called the Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd. On 27 August that year the company applied for the establishment of New Era College. On 28 May 1997 the Ministry of Education gave its approval.


The campus for the new college was the site intended earlier for the proposed Universiti Merdeka. The land was previously occupied by the former Kajang Hua Qiao School. On 1 October 1998, the Hua Qiao School Trustees Board, formed by eight registered Chinese associations in Kajang, donated the land to Merdeka University Berhad to establish a Chinese tertiary educational institution. Merdeka University Berhad in turn passed the land over to the Dong Jiao Zong Higher Learning Centre Bhd. The first building completed on this piece of land was the administration building of Dong Jiao Zong (Dong Zong - United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia and Jiao Zong - United Chinese School Teachers' Association of Malaysia) which was declared open on 19 December 1993.



On 1 March 1998, New Era College accepted its first intake of 148 students. The new students commenced their tertiary studies in courses delivered by the Department of Business Studies, the Department of Information Technology and the Department of Chinese Language and Literature.


The Chinese community welcomed the setting up of New Era College and responded enthusiastically by forming committees all over the country to raise money for the new institution. Many of them saw New Era as the tertiary apex of an education system where Chinese is the main medium of instruction. Men and women from all backgrounds gave generously to the building fund. Through these efforts led by the Dong Jiao Zong, an academic block and a hostel block were completed by the end of 2001. In 2001, the Penang and Perak Working Committees were formed under the New Era College Building and Development Fund to coordinate fund-raising efforts in the northern states. Driven by the same vision to have a tertiary educational institution for the community, they joined forces with the southern states in Malaysia, in raising money for the cause.


In its first years, New Era offered franchised programmes from several overseas universities such as Gloucestershire University, United Kingdom and Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand. Students could do the entire Gloucestershire University degree in New Era or an additional year in New Zealand for the Victoria University degree. The programmes offered by the two overseas universities were Bachelor in Business Administration and the Bachelor of Finance and Accounting. Similar credit transfer arrangements were made with several Taiwan universities in Media, Psychology and Counselling, and Chinese language studies.

Becoming a university college

On 30 December 2016 New Era was upgraded to University College status by the Ministry of Higher Education. This upgrading allows New Era University College to confer its own degrees and post-graduate degrees. Three faculties were thereupon formed out of existing departments and entrusted to develop and introduce new degree courses. At the same time diploma courses continued to be offered. These diploma courses while preparing graduates for a working career also serve as a pathway to degree courses in New Era and in partner overseas universities.


Following its upgrading Prof Mok Soon Chong became Vice-Chancellor and Prof Voon Phin Keong and Prof Lee Kam Hing were appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellors. In October 2018 the Graduate School was set up under the leadership of Prof Diana Wong. The Graduate School presently offers a Ph.D in Education by research programme.


New Era continues to be a non-profit making institution. The fees it charges are therefore very affordable. At the same time, it provides a large number of scholarships and fee waivers to deserving students. To encourage the further growth of a more multi-ethnic student body, New Era extends scholarships to groups less represented.



New Era soon gained a reputation for its commitment to research. It has the Tan Lark Sye Research Centre which funds research especially on Chinese society and culture. The centre has since expanded its research on the wider society.


In this commitment to quality teaching and research, the Tan Lark Sye Library plays an important part. Over the years the library has become one of the largest among private universities in the country with a collection of nearly 200,000 books. This includes books donated by individuals, the most recent being the Yong Ching Fatt Collection. Perhaps most noteworthy, New Era has the largest collection of Chinese titles in the country. The library is open for use to members of the public.


Since 2012 New Era publishes two academic journals. They are the Malaysian Journal of Chinese Studies which is in English and the Malaysian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences which is in Chinese. The two journals have an international circulation and attract contributions from both local and overseas scholars.

History Timeline

  • 28 May 1997

    New Era College is approved by the Ministry of Education.

  • 1 March 1998

    New Era College Officially Opens.

    1st Principal, Dr Ang Tian Tse (1998-Sep30, 2000)

    First intake of 148 students begin their courses
    under three departments:
    Department of Business Studies
    Department of Information Technology
    Department of Chinese Language and Literature.

    Classes were conducted in containers in the early years. Even as funds were being raised for the other two blocks, education remained the top priority.

  • 2001

    Department of Media Studies is formed

    Offering Associate Degree in Media Studies.

    2nd Principal, Dr Kua Kia Soong  (Oct 1, 2000 - Dec 31, 2008)

  • 2002

    Happenings

    21 July, 2002:
    Official opening of hostel (Block C) and academic (Block B) blocks.
    Campus facilities include computer labs, classrooms and lecture hall, a 600-seater auditorium, a cafeteria, and an outdoor performance / speakers area adoringly called ‘Empty Space’.

    Diploma in Counselling and Guidance is launched under external programmes department. It is the first Chinese-medium course in Counselling and Guidance offered at tertiary level in Malaysia.

    Department of Art and Design is formed offering:
      Associate Degree in Visual Arts
      Associate Degree in Visual Communication
      Associate Degree in Interior Architecture

    Kajang Observer (publication under Media Studies) is launched.

    New Era’s Academic Research Centre is set up

    Community service is made a compulsory 1-credit course for all students. This shows the seriousness in the College’s belief in holistic education.

  • 2004

    Library and Ceramic Workshop

    Library is centrally relocated to existing carpark floors. It has one of the best-stocked Chinese Language collection in the country.

    Art & Design Ceramic Workshop opens.

  • 2005

    Breadth and Depth

    As the College continues to provide new facilities, new departments are also set up. The succeeding years are invested into strengthening the various programmes' syllabus to be in line with MQA.

    Department of Drama and Visuals is launched offering Diploma in Drama and Visuals.

    Department of Education is launched offering Diploma in Education.

    Diploma in Fashion and Textile Design is launched under the Department of Art & Design.

    Counselling Centre opens on Block C, 2nd floor. It shows The College's commitment to students' well-being.

  • 2006

    Department of Guidance and Counselling Psychology is launched.

  • 2009

    Upgrade of Diploma in Counselling and Guidance Psychology

    Existing Diploma in Counselling and Guidance Psychology is officially upgraded to (2+2) B.A. in Guidance and Counselling Psychology.

    3rd Principal, Dr Pua Eng Chong (Jan15, 2009-Dec 31, 2011)

  • 2010

    Seven Departments One Vision

    Work on achieving University College gathers momentum.

    Department of Business and IT
    Foundation in Business
    Diploma in Business Administration
    Diploma in Accounting
    Diploma in Information Technology
    Diploma in Web Development Technology
    Certificate in Business Information Technology

    Department of Chinese Language and Literature
    B.A. Chinese Language and Literature
    Foundation in Chinese Communication
    Certificate in Humanities and Social Sciences

    Department of Media Studies
    B.A. Radio & TV (2+2)
    B.A. Advertising & Promotion (2+2)
    B.A. Journalism (2+2)
    Diploma in Media Studies

    Department of Art and Design
    Diploma in Visual Arts
    Diploma in Graphic Design
    Diploma in Interior Design
    Diploma in Fashion & Textile Design

    Department Of Drama and Visuals
    Diploma in Drama & Visuals

    Department of Education
    Diploma in Early Childhood Education
    Diploma in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language

    Department Of Guidance and Counselling Psychology
    B.A. Guidance & Counselling Psychology (2+2)

  • 2012

    4th Principal & 1st Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mok Soon Chong (Since Jan 1, 2012)

  • 2014

    September 5, 2014
    Library renamed to Tan Lark Sye Library.
    The launching ceremony of Resource Centre for Nanyang University.

  • 2015

    May 30, 2015
    The launching ceremony of Fang Xiu collection

  • 2016

    University College Status

    New Era College is officially upgraded to New Era University College on Dec 30, 2016 by the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia.

  • 2017

    April 8, 2017
    The launching of home-grown Degree programmes.

    September 24, 2017
    The launching ceremony of Lee Yip Lim Collection.

  • 2018

    NEUC 20th Anniversary

    April 15, 2018
    The launching of Wisma Perfect New Era.

    May 26, 2018
    20th Anniversary Celebration Ceremony

    July 28, 2018
    The launching ceremony of <Malaysia-Singapore Philanthropist>

    November 11, 2018
    New Era 20th Anniversary Dinner

    December 8, 2018
    The launching ceremony of Lee Kim Chong Historical Collection of Malaysian Chinese Literature.

  • 2019

    January 11, 2019
    Presentation Ceremony of the Malaysia Government's Special Fund Allocation

    March 31, 2019
    The launching ceremony of Yong Ching Fatt Collection

    April 1, 2019
    Establishment of Institute of International Education

    Activities on celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Chinese Education:
    - Tian Jin Bin Hai Lang Hua Cultural Shows
    - Director Ho Lin Huay 20th Anniversary Charity Dinner Concert
    - International Conference on Southeast Asia Chinese and the New Culture Movement

    The first campus folk song album funded by the school in the history of Malaysia's music scene——"Flying High"

    Establishment of Institute of International Education

    Commencement of the first Doctor of Philosophy in ASEAN Studies and Master of Arts in ASEAN Studies class

    "World Presidential Blend Diplomacy Gala Dinner"

  • 2020


    January 1, 2020
    The Department of Computer Science and Information Technology is upgraded into the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Computing Technology (FICT)

    The Faculty of Business and Information Technology is renamed to Faculty of Accountancy, Management and Economics (FAME).

    June 1, 2020
    Establishment of The Institute of Ageing and Professional Care (Instaproc)

    June 16, 2020
    Establishment of The Language and Intercultural Centre and the Centre is managed by the Institute of International Education.
    The Student Enrolment Department is renamed to Sales & Marketing Department

    July 25, 2020
    Commencement Ceremony for International Postgraduate Students (July 2020 Intake)

    August 1, 2020
    The Government Relations Office is renamed to Government Relations & Quality Assurance (QA)

Vision

Our Vision

A premier community-funded tertiary education institution

Our Mission

To nurture holistic, cultured, competent and professional leaders who lead socially responsible lives and add value to the development of the nation

neuc logo

DesignImageMeaning

Three flags flying high Symbolises being proactive, progressive, improvement oriented, optimistic, respectful and open-minded.
Three strong and bright colours (yellow, red, blue) The number three represents pluralism. The combination of  primary colours symbolises the spirit of pluralism and democratic dynamism.
Abstract representation of “E” Represents a new “ERA”.
  Abstract representation of “N” Represents an abbreviation of “New Era”
“N” made up of three plane surfaces supporting the three flags Symbolises the Spirit of Freedom; Independent and Critical Thinking & an Era of Pluralism.

address

Blok B&C, Lot 5, Seksyen 10, Jalan Bukit,
43000 Kajang, Selangor.

phone

+(60)3-82103709

email

neuc@newera.edu.my

OFFICE HOURS
Monday to Friday: 8:30am - 5:30pm
(Off on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays)

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