History of TIMES ACADEMY
Establish in 1998, Times Academy was officiated by the former Minister of Human Resources, Y.B. Datuk Dr. Fong Chan Onn on April, 2002. Started with only a class of 20 students in Kuala Selangor, we moved to Kwang Hwa High School in Klang and later to Kajang in 1999 upon approval as an accredited training centre of Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran (JPK), under the Ministry of Human Resources. Our number of students progressively grew from 20 students to 500 students in a year. We also kept upgrading our technical courses, which ranged from certificate level to Higher Diploma level. Our Higher Diploma level was equivalent to the second year honours degree of the UK university.
In year 2006, Times Academy worked together with City & Guilds International (UK Professional Technical Awarding Body) to customize the one and only Diploma in 3S (Sales, Service and Spare Parts) programme. The programme equipped graduates with the necessary skills and good understanding of the automotive industry. The programme was later upgraded to Diploma in 5S ( Sales, Service, Spare Parts, Security System and Standard Modification).
In year 2007, Times Academy engaged a team of specialists to establish the Automotive Mechatronics training, specializing in technologies of Mercedes Benz. The training course was customized and accredited as the Advanced Diploma in Automotive Mechatronics by City & Guilds International. Times Academy is the only City & Guilds centre in the world to have the exclusive right to conduct the Advanced Diploma in Automotive Mechatronics programme. The programme emphasized the technologies of German cars, service, repairs and diagnosis techniques. The programme also supported the global motor vehicle manufacturers' products by maintaining the high standards of quality and safety demanded by their customers.
In 2009, Times Academy had another breakthrough by working together with the City of Sunderland College, UK, to offer the Higher Diploma programmes in Malaysia. The Higher Diploma is a combination of technical and higher academic education, which equips the students with both skill competency and theoretical knowledge. Upon the completion of the Higher Diploma Programmes in Times Academy, our graduates will have the option to enrol into the final year degree programmes in the UK universities. The Higher Diploma has two programmes for the students to choose from, which are Automotive Mechatronics and Vehicle Operations Management. We also have partnerships with the University of Glyndwr (Wales) and the University of Sunderland. These reputable universities will accept all our Higher Diploma graduates into their final year degree programmes.
In March 2011, due to the expansion of our business, Times Academy Sdn. Bhd. was relocated to the new campus in Glenmarie, Shah Alam. Our new campus is designed to create a more comfortable and conducive learning environment for our students and it is well-equipped with facilities, such as students' accommodation, cafeteria, library, computer and engineering laboratories, etc.