The University of Malaya, or UM, Malaysia’s oldest university, is situated on a 922 acre (373.12 hectares) campus in the southwest of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. It was founded on 28 September 1905 in Singapore as the King Edward VII College of Medicine and on 8 October 1949, it became the University of Malaya with the merger of the King Edward VII College of Medicine and Raffles College (founded in 1928).
The University of Malaya derives its name from the term ‘Malaya’ as the country was then known. The Carr-Saunders Commission on University Education in Malaya, which recommended the setting up of the university, noted in its Report in 1948: “The University of Malaya would provide for the first time a common center where varieties of race, religion and economic interest could mingle in joint endeavor.
Rise of UM
The growth of the University was very rapid during the first decade of its establishment and this resulted in the setting up of two autonomous Divisions on 15 January 1959, one located in Singapore and the other in Kuala Lumpur. In 1960, the government of the two territories indicated their desire to change the status of the Divisions into that of a national university. The legislation was passed in 1961 and the University of Malaya was established on 1st January 1962.
On June 16th, 1962, University of Malaya celebrated the installation of its first Chancellor, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, who was also the country’s first prime minister. The first Vice-Chancellor was Professor Oppenheim, a world-renowned Mathematician. Currently, His Royal Highness The Sultan of Perak DarulRidzuan, Sultan NazrinMuizzuddin Shah is the Chancellor of the University of Malaya.
Education Goals at UM
UM aims at demonstrating and preaching knowledge and skills to students in different fields of study, appropriate research and professional practices, and meanwhile making them critical/creative thinkers and ace problem solvers.
Teaching at UM involves using effective methods, including contemporary technologies to manage information and achieve diverse professional goals aligned with professional standards to make students make wise decisions, based on appropriate dates and information. The students are also encouraged to engage in continuous self-improvement and professional growth, with the strong support from the teachers and faculty, they are also taught to display positive leadership and professional behaviors and disposition for effective practices.
The University strives to appreciate and continue guiding the University’s core values of integrity, respect, academic freedom, open-mindedness, accountability, professionalism, meritocracy, teamwork, creativity and instill social responsibility among students, making them well-trained professionals.
