Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (National University of Malaysia) was established in May 1970. It is located in Bangi, Selangor which is about 35 km south of Kuala Lumpur. There is also a teaching hospital in Cheras and a branch campus in Kuala Lumpur.

The university has 12 faculties including Law, Medicine, Engineering, Science and Technology, and Social Sciences and Humanities.

Contents

1 The beginning

The beginning

The idea of establishing a national university was first mooted as far back as the early 1920's. The initial proposition, made by Abd. Kadir Adabi, sought for the establishment of a university that could meet the educational needs of the Malays and the development of their language. Through the 30's, the idea grew, but secretly cherished in the hearts of the Malays, especially during the time of strong colonial domination. However, it was again openly and actively pursued during the 40's and the 50's when the Federation of the Union of Malay Teachers of the Peninsula agitated for the placement of the Malay Language in the active live of the country, and raise the standard of the Malay schools so that their student could further their studies at tertiary level.

In the 60's, the demands were repeated and discussions were reopened. A group of Malay intellectuals gathered to discuss ideas of a national university, not only in the context of the Malay needs, but also of a Malaysian nation. Their ideas were well received by all. Thus, from then on, no force could stop the advancement of the people's demands. In 1969, a Sponsoring Committee was set up to prepare and publish a report recommending the establishment of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The report formed the basis of the University. Much of its recommendations were adopted as guidelines in the official establishment of the University on May 18, 1970.

Thus, the establishment of the University was indeed an historical event. It was erected on the hard stone and bricks of people's thoughts, sweat and vision. The progress achieved since its formation has proved beyond any doubt the success of Bahasa Melayu (Malay language) as a medium of instruction at the university level.

UKM today

UKM today has expanded to twelve well-established faculties, four institutes and nine centres. In addition, UKM has established a private limited holding company known as UKM Holdings, which handles the commercial activity of UKM. UKM encompasses an academic community of 1,756 (156 professors; 357 associate professors; 1020 lecturers and 223 tutors and teachers), supporting staff of more than 7,000 and a student population of approximately 23,000. Currently, UKM has about 18,000 undergraduate students, and 5,000 postgraduate students of which 600 are foreign students from 30 different countries. Since its establishment in 1970 up till 2002, the University has produced more than 84,000 graduates; 77,464 Bachelors, 6,242 Masters and 434 PhDs. UKM, though a brainchild of nationalistic fervour and aspirations, is very international in outlook without sacrificing its cherished culture and values.

UKM's dynamism is based on its readiness to face future challenges as is clear from its efforts to redefine its role. UKM aims to be a pioneer and an explorer, one that ventures into the future in pursuit of academic excellence. To achieve its mission, the University is restructuring and redefining its objectives and aims. Of utmost concerns are the need for nation building, the need to heighten national awareness, the need to provide a support system utilising high technology and the need for co-operation between the private and public sectors. As such, issues relating to the management of UKM such as corporatisation, total quality management, restructuring and consolidating of academic roles, as well as human resource development and management, have become priorities in the University's strategies for excellence.

UKM strives for academic excellence with emphasis on a strong research culture and publications. The Government of Malaysia has identified UKM as a research university with an increasing amount of research grants amounting to more than USD 25 million during the period 2000-2002. The academic staffs of UKM are publishing their work and findings in reputable journals of international, regional and national standings. They have attended and are attending international conferences all over the world. Some of their innovations and findings had been exhibited and recognized with citations and medals at international exhibitions of innovation and inventions. The most recent are the awards obtained at the 30th International Exhibition of Inventions, New Technologies and Products. UKM was able to garner one gold medal with congratulation from jury for the work on The Production of Environmental Friendly Polyurethanes from Renewable RBD Palm Kernel Oil-Based Polyol, one gold medal, two silvers and one bronze. During the Seoul International Invention Fair 2002, UKM’s researchers won two special jury awards, two gold medals and one silver. UKM’s effort in ensuring academic excellence was recognised by Yayasan Tun Razak when it obtained the Tun Razak Award under the society category.

In this era of globalisation UKM is ready to push its boundaries further to remain competitive. UKM has played host to more than 80 institutions and organisations from countries all over the world including those from ASEAN, Asia, Europe and America. Such visits have paved the way for forging closer international ties in the areas of academic research and administration. Specific collaborative efforts in the form of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with 50 various international institutions. In an effort to consolidate its internationalisation programme, a Centre for Public and International Relations was established on the 1st of January 2002. The new centre works in tandem with the Centre for Graduate Studies to promote UKM's academic programmes internationally. The main theme of UKM's new image is "the national university with an international reach".

Degrees

At the undergraduate level, the University offers a wide range of courses with a total of more than 90 disciplines, leading to Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Economics, Bachelor of Accounting, Bachelor of Science Education, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Law, Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Dental Surgery, and Bachelor of Islamic Studies degrees.

At the postgraduate level, more than 170 higher degree programmes are offered including Master of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Master of Economics, Master of Accounting, Master of Education, Master of Islamic Studies, Master of Letters, Master of Law, Master of Philosophy, Master of Medicine, Master of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Master of Surgery, Master of Medical Pathology, Master of Community Health, Master of Family Medicine, Master of Medical Science, Advanced Master of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Advanced Master of Dermatology, Diploma of Cardiology, Master of Environmental Management, Master of Engineering, Master of Information Technology, Master In Industrial Safety Management, Doctorate of Medicine, Doctorate of Business Administration, and Doctor of Philosophy in various disciplines. UKM is now well known as the main centre for training in various areas of specialisation. Diploma programmes in Islamic Administration and Legal Profession, Strategic and Security Studies, and Counselling are also offered.

Location

In terms of physical development, UKM started operating at Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur in 1970. In October 1977, it moved to the main campus location in Bangi, an attractive and green valley area of 10.96 square kilometres. UKM also has a branch campus in Kuala Lumpur and a teaching hospital in Cheras known as Hospital UKM (HUKM).

The campus

The main campus of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia is situated in Bangi, about 35 km south of Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. Nestled in a valley with exotic green surroundings, the campus buildings are designed to complement its landscape of national forest skyline. The campus is a fusion of colours from beautiful landscaped gardens scattered amidst a background of verdant green forest. The campus truly reflects the theme "campus in a garden".

The campus is planned in such a way that service centres such as the library, the student's centre, the supermarket, bank and bookstores are centrally located. The academic core is linked to the library and the student's centre by a series of covered walkways.

The most prominent buildings in the campus are the great hall, named Tun Abdul Razak Chancellery Hall (DECTAR), and the magnificent University Mosque. Situated directly opposite each other near the entrance to the University, DECTAR serves as a visual reminder of the University's role as the apex of academic excellence, whilst the mosque stands as a place of homage and servitude to God; both presenting constant testimony to the University's adherence to its stated philosophy: "The combination of Faith in Allah and beneficial knowledge, and the integration between theory and practice is the basis for the advancement of knowledge, the education of society and the growth and development of the University".

The University's faculties of Medicine, Dentistry, and Allied Health Sciences are in the Kuala Lumpur Campus. In addition in 1997, the University also own a teaching hospital called Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM) in Cheras.

Academic

UKM has 12 faculties: -

Allied Health Sciences
Business Management
Dentistry
Economics
Education
Engineering
Information Science and Technology
Islamic Studies
Law
Medicine
Science and Technology
Social Sciences and Humanities

The university has four research institutes, the Institute of The Malay World and Civilisation (ATMA), the Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), the Institute for Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS) and the Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN). Apart from the four research institutes UKM has two research excellence centres, the Centre for Gene Analysis and Technology, and the Centre for Advanced Engineering.

The Interim Laboratory of The National Institute for Genomic and Molecular Biology as well as the Malaysian Institute of Environment are located within the vicinity of the main campus thus enhancing research collaborations between these institutes and UKM.

The University is supported by several central divisions, which manage and coordinate all academic activities such as - the centres for Public and International Relations, General Studies, Research Management, Publication and Printing, Academic Advancement, Students’ Development, and the Co-curriculum Centre. The Computer Centre maintains the University’s ICT systems. Postgraduate degrees are coordinated by the Centre of Graduate Studies and include advanced diplomas, specialist degrees, masters and PhDs, which are offered in various fields. The Centre for Educational Advancement is responsible for running UKM’s commercial academic programmes.