History
Source: https://www.um.edu.my/history
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:17
History
About UM
Vision & Mission
Leadership
Chancellor & Pro-Chancellors
Board of Directors
University Management
Administration
Organizational Chart
Chancellery
Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Office
Associate Vice-Chancellor’s Office
Registrar’s Office
Bursary
Universiti Malaya Medical Centre
Library
Deans & Executive Directors
Educational Goals
Client Charter
History
UM Fact Sheet
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Prospective
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History
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History
OUR HISTORY
Universiti Malaya,
or UM, Malaysia's oldest university, is situated on a 922 acre (373.12 hectare) 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 8th October 1949, it became the Universiti Malaya with the merger of the King Edward VII College of Medicine and Raffles College (founded in 1928).
The Universiti 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 Universiti Malaya would provide for the first time a common centre where varieties of race, religion and economic interest could mingle in joint endeavour ... For a Universiti Malaya must inevitably realise that it is a university for Malaya."
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. Legislation was passed in 1961 and the Universiti Malaya was established on 1st January 1962.
On June 16th 1962, Universiti 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 Darul Ridzuan, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah is the Chancellor of UM.
FORMER VICE-CHANCELLORS
Professor Dato' Ir. Dr. Mohd Hamdi Abd Shukor
November 2020 - October 2023
Datuk Ir. (Dr.) Abdul Rahim Hj. Hashim
November 2017 - October 2020
Tan Sri Professor Dr. Mohd Amin Jalaludin
November 2013 - April 2017
Tan Sri Dr. Ghauth Jasmon
November 2008 - November 2013
Tan Sri Datuk Rafiah Salim
May 2006 - November 2008
Professor Emeritus Dato' Dr. Hashim Yaacob
April 2003 - May 2006
Dato' Professor Dr. Anuar Zaini Md. Zain
April 2000 - March 2003
Tan Sri Dato' Dr. Hj. Abdullah Sanusi Ahmad
March 1994 - March 2000
Datuk Dr. Haji Mohd. Taib Osman
January 1991 - March 1994
Dr. Syed Hussein Alatas
May 1988 - January 1991
Royal Professor Ungku A. Aziz
October 1968 - February 1988
Dr. J.H.E. Griffiths
April 1967 - September 1968
Professor Dato' Sir Alexander Oppenheim
September 1956 - June 1965
Last Update: Aug 13, 2024
About UM
Vision & Mission
Leadership
Chancellor & Pro-Chancellors
Board of Directors
University Management
Administration
Organizational Chart
Chancellery
Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Office
Associate Vice-Chancellor’s Office
Registrar’s Office
Bursary
Universiti Malaya Medical Centre
Library
Deans & Executive Directors
Educational Goals
Client Charter
History
UM Fact Sheet
Media Centre
Annual Report
UM Newsletter
Career
Vacancies
Research Assistant Vacancies
Contact Us
Office Directory
Campus Map
Feedback
Admissions
Programmes
How to Apply
Scholarship & Financial Aid
Undergraduate
Postgraduate
Student Pass
Academics
Academies
Faculties
Institutes
Centres
Student Life
Research
Student
Staff
Alumni
Apply NOW
corporate@um.edu.my
+603-7967 7022
Prospective
Student
Staff
Alumni
Apply NOW
History
Home
>
About UM
>
History
OUR HISTORY
Universiti Malaya,
or UM, Malaysia's oldest university, is situated on a 922 acre (373.12 hectare) 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 8th October 1949, it became the Universiti Malaya with the merger of the King Edward VII College of Medicine and Raffles College (founded in 1928).
The Universiti 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 Universiti Malaya would provide for the first time a common centre where varieties of race, religion and economic interest could mingle in joint endeavour ... For a Universiti Malaya must inevitably realise that it is a university for Malaya."
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. Legislation was passed in 1961 and the Universiti Malaya was established on 1st January 1962.
On June 16th 1962, Universiti 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 Darul Ridzuan, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah is the Chancellor of UM.
FORMER VICE-CHANCELLORS
Professor Dato' Ir. Dr. Mohd Hamdi Abd Shukor
November 2020 - October 2023
Datuk Ir. (Dr.) Abdul Rahim Hj. Hashim
November 2017 - October 2020
Tan Sri Professor Dr. Mohd Amin Jalaludin
November 2013 - April 2017
Tan Sri Dr. Ghauth Jasmon
November 2008 - November 2013
Tan Sri Datuk Rafiah Salim
May 2006 - November 2008
Professor Emeritus Dato' Dr. Hashim Yaacob
April 2003 - May 2006
Dato' Professor Dr. Anuar Zaini Md. Zain
April 2000 - March 2003
Tan Sri Dato' Dr. Hj. Abdullah Sanusi Ahmad
March 1994 - March 2000
Datuk Dr. Haji Mohd. Taib Osman
January 1991 - March 1994
Dr. Syed Hussein Alatas
May 1988 - January 1991
Royal Professor Ungku A. Aziz
October 1968 - February 1988
Dr. J.H.E. Griffiths
April 1967 - September 1968
Professor Dato' Sir Alexander Oppenheim
September 1956 - June 1965
Last Update: Aug 13, 2024