In July 2001, the
Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), a monoethnic political party, received an invitation from the
Malaysian Ministry of Education to establish a university.
Ling Liong Sik, the President of the MCA, chaired a committee that drew up a framework for the establishment of the university. In June 2002, UTAR opened its doors to the pioneer batch students on its first campus located in Section 13 of
Petaling Jaya, on premises previously owned by the publisher of a local daily called The Star. Through the three newly established faculties, the university offered its first eight honours degree programmes UTAR once maintained campuses in
Petaling Jaya and
Kuala Lumpur, but in June 2015 these were consolidated with the Sungai Long campus. Ng Lay Swee retired as the President on 31 March 2008. She was succeeded by
Chuah Hean Teik. Following her retirement, many pioneering staff members who worked with her from the inception of the university left the establishment as well.
Chuah Hean Teik retired as the President on 31 August 2019. He was succeeded by Ewe Hong Tat effective from 1 September 2019. == Campuses ==