Table of Contents
About UM
The oldest institution in Malaysia, University Malaya, or UM, is located on a campus that spans 922 acres (373.12 hectares) southwest of Kuala Lumpur, the nation’s capital. It was established on September 28, 1905, in Singapore as the King Edward VII College of Medicine. On October 8, 1949, when the King Edward VII College of Medicine and Raffles College merged, it became the University of Malaya (founded in 1928).
Due to the University’s explosive expansion during its first ten years of existence, two independent Divisions, one in Singapore and the other in Kuala Lumpur, were established on January 15, 1959. The two territories’ governments expressed a desire in 1960 to upgrade the Divisions’ standing to that of a national university. The University of Malaya was founded on January 1st, 1962, following the passage of legislation in 1961.
On June 16, 1962, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the country’s first prime minister, was sworn in as the University of Malaya’s first chancellor. Mathematician Professor Oppenheim served as the first vice-chancellor.
At the moment, His Royal Highness The Chancellor of UM is Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, the Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan. On November 1st, 2020, YBhg. Dato’ Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd Hamdi Abd Shukor was named the 13th Vice-Chancellor of UM.
University Malaya Data
| Total number of students | 18,320 | Number of international students | 3,340 |
| Total number of academic staff | 1,874 | Number of international staff | 526 |
| Number of undergraduate degrees awarded | 3,228 | Number of master’s degrees awarded | 1,581 |
| Number of doctoral degrees awarded | 466 | Number of research-only staff | 354 |
| Number of new undergraduate students | 4,458 | Number of new master’s students | 876 |
| Number of new doctoral students | 700 |
Vision
A worldwide university with global effect.
Mission
We are expanding the limits of knowledge and cultivating future leaders.
Educational Goals
University Malaya graduates will be capable to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and abilities in their study area, relevant research, professional practices, and the processes of critical thinking, creative thinking, and problem-solving.
- Utilize effective techniques, such as modern technology, to manage information, accomplish different professional objectives by professional standards, and make judgments based on relevant facts and information.
- Continuously engage in self-improvement and professional development. Support the professional growth of others and demonstrate excellent leadership and professional actions and attitudes.
- Project a clear picture of social duties and communicate successfully with other professionals and the community.
- Appreciate the University’s fundamental principles of honesty, respect, academic freedom, open-mindedness, accountability, professionalism, meritocracy, collaboration, innovation, and social responsibility, and continue to be led by them.
Faculties, Academics, Institutes, and Centers
Faculties
- Faculty of Built Environment
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Business and Economics
- Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Languages and Linguistics
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Sport and Exercise Science
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Creative Arts
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Dentistry
- Faculty of Pharmacy
Academics
- Academy of Islamic Studies
- Academy of Malay Studies
Institutes
- Institute for Advanced Studies
- Asia-Europe Institute
- Institute of China Studies
Centers
- Academic Enhancement and Leadership Development Center (ADEC)
- Center for Internship Training and Academic Enhancement (CITrA)
- University Malaya Center for Continuing Education (UMCCed)
- Center for Foundation Studies
- Center for Civilizational Dialogue
Student Life
Student Bodies
University of Malaya Students’ Union (UMSU) is an elected student body where students have a voice in student affairs policy and decision-making. PRKUM stands for Pilihanraya Kampus Universiti Malaya in Malay, and the elections are considered a stepping stone toward a student leader. The university’s Student Affairs Department had overseen previous polls, but the first election supervised by the students was held on 4 March 2019. This marked the first and most significant milestone in the history of the polls. Nearly two-thirds (61%) of the 13,671 student population participated in the election, with the winning Suara Siswa group advocating for students’ rights.
Student Welfare
Oversees and implements student welfare services that promote growth and learning. In addition, the UM Food Bank is within its purview to help students from low-income families.
Students with Disabilities
The department known as “Student With Disability Matters” is responsible for meeting the needs of students with disabilities by creating and enforcing appropriate educational and extracurricular opportunities. It also helps get the word out that students needing emotional or physical help may find it on campus.
Transportation Accessibility
The following transport routes pass close to the University of Malaya:
Bus: 780, P701, T789, T815
Train: 1
MRT and LRT: 5
The Kuala Lumpur (KL) entrance is accessible through a 15-minute walk from the KJ19 Universiti station on the LRT Kelana Jaya Line. The two closest stations are KD02 Angkasapuri station on the Port Klang Komuter Line and KG12 Phileo Damansara MRT station. The former is linked to the GoKL Pink Line bus service, which stops at the neighboring mosque, which is 5 to 10 minutes away on foot from the KL entrance. The latter is 3 kilometers from the Petaling Jaya (PJ) campus’ main entrance and is served by the T815 MRT Feeder Bus. RapidKL operates several bus routes, including T815 and T789, which link to the Phileo Damansara and Universiti stations. The PJ gate provides access to the University Malaya Medical Centre (PPUM) stop for the free PJ City Bus service. Additional rapid bus routes may make a stop at PPUM.