Grant of Arms

The former Vice-Chancellor of Sunway University, Professor Jarlath Ronayne spoke of the use of a Coat of Arms in universities, as a symbol of independent authority and high prestige, going back to the Middle Ages, when the colleges of the ancient universities were granted Arms, usually based on those of their founders.

Over the past 20 years, Sunway University has produced students with outstanding potential, and well-regarded academic credentials. In 2004, Sunway College was elevated to the status of a University College.

It is essential for Sunway University to adopt a unique, memorable emblem both as an identifier, and a symbol of the authority it holds as an institution of higher learning. The independence of the universities and their powers to award their own degrees in all subjects has, historically, been represented by the granting of the Coat of Arms.

The Unveiling

The Coat of Arms was unveiled on September 19, 2006 during the Installation of YBhg Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, AO as the first Foundation Chancellor by His Royal Highness Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, the Sultan of Selangor.

Professor Jarlath highlighted the fact that a Coat of Arms was given by the Supreme Authorities of a country as an indication of importance of the institution and the authority it holds to grant its own degrees.

Sunway University is the first and only private university college in the region that was granted the Coat of Arms by the College of Arms in London. The Coat of Arms has three elements, namely the Crest, the Shield and the Motto.

The Arms/Shield

The Arms, which was devised by th Richmond Herald of the College of Arms, contains three geometric shapes known as "piles", each "charged" with a golden sun. Together, the piles form a "W" and, with the suns, the device suggests the name Sunway. The stylised suns have a slight resemblance to the star, on a blue background, that appears on the Malaysian flag.

The Crest & The Motto

The Crest which is placed on top of the Shield consists of a Malaysian tiger, grasping a torch, symbolising learning and teaching at the institution. Our motto "Fortuna eruditis favet" derives from Louis Pasteur's famous phrase "la chance ne sourit qu'aux esprits bien prepares." Pasteur, commenting in 1855 ib Oersted's "chance" discovery of electromagnetism, expressed the view that chance discoveries take place only in the context of a prepared mind.

We have adapted the phrase to read "Fortune favours the prepared mind" and this was translated into Latin by Professor Thomas N Mitchell, Provost and Professor of Latin at Trinity College Dublin.

"Being granted the Coat of Arms, is indeed a significant recognition, as it signifies Sunway University's high standing in the international arena. It is a distinction granted only to those individuals, families or organizations who are judged by the College of Arms to be worthy of it. Its uniqueness in the private higher education sector of Malaysia reflects Sunway University's achievements as a pioneering institution that sets quality and integrity above all else in the delivery of its educational programmes"

Professor Jarlath Ronayne