| Universiti Putra Malaysia | |
|---|---|
| Universiti Putra Malaysia | |
Seal of Universiti Putra Malaysia |
|
| Motto | Berilmu Berbakti |
| Motto in English | With Knowledge We Serve |
| Established | 1931, 1973 |
| Type | Public |
| Chancellor | HRH Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah |
| Vice-Chancellor | Y.Bhg.Dato' Ir. Dr. Radin Umar Radin Sohadi |
| Pro-Chancellors | Tan Sri Dr Haji Nayan Arifin Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek Tan Sri Rozali Ismail |
| Undergraduates | 18,193 (AY 2006-07) |
| Postgraduates | 6,852 (AY 2006-07) |
| Location | Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia |
| Former names | School of Agriculture (1931-1947) College of Agriculture Malaya(1947-1973) Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (1973-1997) |
| Colours | Red, White and Grey |
| Affiliations | ACU, ASAIHL, ASEA UNINET,[1] AUAP,[2] FUIW[3] |
| Website | http://www.upm.edu.my/ |
Universiti Putra Malaysia (English: Putra University, Malaysia [4]), or UPM, is a leading research intensive public university located in central Peninsular Malaysia, close to the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. It was formerly known as Universiti Pertanian Malaysia or Agricultural University of Malaysia (Malay: universiti, university; pertanian, agriculture; Malaysia). UPM is a research university offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses with a research focus on agricultural sciences and its related fields. Ranked joint 319th best university in the world in 2010 by Quacquarelli Symonds,[5] UPM is taking steps to boost its research capabilities both in and beyond the scope of agriculture.[6]
One can trace the origins of UPM to the School of Agriculture officially instituted on 21 May 1931 by John Scott,[7] an administrative officer of the British colonial Straits Settlements. The School was located on a 22-acre (89,000 m2) spread in Serdang, Selangor state. The School began by offering the three-year Diploma program and a one-year Certificate course. By 1941 the School had succeeded in training 321 officers, with 155 having obtained the Diploma and 166 the Certificate. This school was, on 23 June 1942, declared to be the College of Agriculture Malaya by Sir Edward Gent, the Governor of the Malayan Union. In 1948 it was proposed that this College be upgraded to a University. The proposal, however, was shelved with the declaration of the Malayan Emergency in the middle of that same year.
In 1960 the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Malaya was established. On 1 January 1962 a statute was approved to make the Council of the College of Agriculture Malaya an authority of the University of Malaya.
The formation of an agricultural university providing programs of study at the degree level was suggested by the then Honorable Deputy Prime Minister, Tun Haji Abdul Razak Bin Hussein, on 31 March 1969 at the opening ceremony of the additional wing to the College of Agriculture Malaya at Serdang, Selangor.
The establishment of Universiti Pertanian Malaysia finally culminated with the enacting of the Incorporation Order signed by His Majesty The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong as provided for under the Universities and University Colleges Act, 1971, and published in the Government Gazette as P.U.(A) 387 dated 29 October 1971. The said Incorporation Order provides as follows :
"There shall be a higher educational institution having the status of University, which shall be a body corporate for the purpose of providing, promoting and developing higher education in the fields of Agriculture, Forestry, Veterinary Science, Natural Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Technology, Social Sciences, Humanities and Education as well as to provide for research and the accumulation and advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of such knowledge in the aforesaid fields of study."
The creation of this University was based on the merger of the College of Agriculture Malaya with the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Malaya. Dr. Mohd. Rashdan bin Haji Baba was appointed as the first Vice-Chancellor by virtue of the provisions of section 18 of the Universities and University Colleges Act, 1971.
Universiti Pertanian Malaysia embarked on its first academic session in July 1973 with three foundation faculties: the Faculty of Agriculture, the Faculty of Forestry, and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science. Beside the three faculties there was a Basic Sciences Division. The pioneer student enrolment was 1,559 for the Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Diploma in Home Technology, Diploma in Animal Health and Production, Diploma in Science with Education, and Preliminary Programme.
In the early eighties, however, UPM expanded its areas of concentration by including Science and Technology subjects in its fields of study. In 1994 UPM embarked on its ambitious plan to develop into a futuristic university. It would provide better and up-to-date skills and systems for science and technology education. To do so, it would take full advantage of the rapid development in information technology. UPM thereafter transformed itself into a borderless campus, its name and reputation stretching far beyond Malaysian boundaries.
In 1997 the name was changed from Universiti Pertanian Malaysia to Universiti Putra Malaysia, in honour of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj. The change was officially announced on 3 April 1997 by the then Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad. This was a strategic way of portraying the status of UPM as a center of higher education capable of providing various fields of study deemed necessary to facilitate national development in the new millennium. This was especially true of UPM's provisions for studies in Information Technology (ITUPM was renamed in honour of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Malaysia's first Prime Minister. The renaming was looked upon as a strategic move in preparing UPM to become a versatile higher learning institution aligned with Malaysia’s strategic plans in dynamic high-technology. It lies near the heart of the Multimedia Super Corridor, the first large-scale high-technology initiative of the Malaysian government, and near the new administrative capital, Putrajaya. The latter, too, was named after Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.).
The university since its inception as Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, has had two branch campuses apart from the main campus at Serdang, Selangor. The UPM branch campuses were located in Bintulu, Sarawak and Mengabang Telipot, Terengganu. The campus in Terengganu, however, has been upgraded to the University College of Science and Technology Malaysia (KUSTEM), with its own management and administration. KUSTEM officially broke away from UPM on 1 July 2001. The Medicine and Health Sciences faculty maintains a campus complex adjacent to a local hospital in Serdang.[8]
UPM began its academic life in 1973 with three founding Faculties and a Division of Basic Sciences. The first intake of 1,559 students were for the Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Diploma in Home Technology, Diploma in Animal Health and Production, Diploma in Science with Education, and Preliminary Programme. Currently UPM offers 73 Bachelor's degree programmes, eight Diploma programmes, and 12 Masters and Doctoral programmes. There are 16 Faculties, eight Centres, six Institutes, two Schools, a University Park and a branch campus in Bintulu, Sarawak. The Doctor of Medicine program provided by the Medical and Health Science division of the university was fully recognized by the Malaysia Medical Council on June 5, 2001.[9]
The Faculty of Engineering of Universiti Putra Malaysia was established on 1 January 1975 at the main Serdang Campus, some 22 kilometers to the south of Kuala Lumpur. It is one of the largest faculties at UPM with a student population of over 3000. The campus’ location at the heart of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) provides the faculty with the excellent access to the array of IT and multimedia facilities available in the Corridor. With the UPMNET providing sophisticated campus-wide broadband ATM network, coupled with the computing facilities at the faculty, students and staff have ready access to the latest in IT, multimedia, CAD/CAM and Internet facilities.
The eight academic departments housed in the faculty offer a similar number of Bachelor of Engineering degree programs. The faculty is proud of the international character of its student population. Out of 800 postgraduates, almost 50% are international students. In addition to providing facilities and opportunities for teaching and research, the faculty has established Research Centres in priority areas of engineering and related fields.[10]
The faculty had identified a number of niche areas which have critical mass at faculty level to become the Centre of Excellence. The Centre organized research and development programs, consultancy and focused professional training which involved expertise from other disciplines in the university. The objective was to secure contracts from the public or private sectors to generate income for the faculty. Centers of Excellence have been established as listed below.
The faculty had initiated professional chairs with sponsorship secured from corporate sectors. The objectives are:
The Eighth Malaysia Plan ended in 2005 and, during its duration, most of the approved research projects were completed. Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation offers three research grants: Technofund, Innofund and Sciencefund. In addition, the Ministry of Higher Education initiated the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme and UPM offers the Research University Grant Scheme.[10]
The Faculty was first established as the Division of Basic Sciences in 1972. Its objective was to offer basic science courses required by other faculties in the University. In 1975, the status of the division was upgraded to a faculty, and named the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies.
Since then the faculty has gone through several restructuring processes, including the setting up of the Department of Environmental Sciences and the Department of Computer Sciences which later were upgraded to form two new faculties, and the transfer of the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology to the newly formed Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences. Ever since the restructuring, the faculty has been renamed as the Faculty of Science in 2004.[11]
The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences was established on 1 August 1996 as a result of the merger of the Department of Bio-Medical of the Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science with The Nutrition and Community Health Department of the Faculty Human Ecology. Currently, there are 1733 full-time students in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.The mission of Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia is to become a centre of excellence via effective and skillful teaching, research, professional services and consultancy in the field of medicine and health sciences.[12]
The Faculty of Economics and Management offers advanced studies in economics. Since its inception in 1974, the Faculty has established a tradition of interdisciplinary teaching, research, and innovative scholarship. From its initial interest in agribusiness, agricultural economics, and natural resource economics, the Faculty has broadened its disciplines to include mainstream economics, finance, accounting and business management. The faculty consists of four departments: Department of Economics, Department of Hospitality and Recreation (formerly the Department of Natural Resource Economics), Department of Management and Marketing, and Department of Accounting and Finance. The Department of Economics administers the undergraduate honors degree program (Bachelor of Economics) as well as joint honors degree programs with other departments. The Department of Management and Marketing administers the Bachelor of Business Administration program, while the Department of Accounting and Finance administers the Bachelor of Accounting program.
Currently the faculty is staffed by 18 Professors, 15 Associate Professors, 54 senior lecturers, 40 lecturers and 35 tutors in various fields of economics, management, finance and accounting. The academic staff members have experience in teaching, research, consultancies and student supervision. The Faculty is supported by staff with expertise in various fields of analytical and applied economics, finance, accounting, and business management.
In the field of economics, the Faculty is recognized for the quality and breadth of its research output as shown by the three consecutive assessments of research quality conducted by the higher education funding bodies in Malaysia. Members of the Faculty publish regularly in leading national and international economic journals. Its research strategy focuses on the development of economic theory and empirical studies using advanced econometric methods. The objective of the faculty is to produce research that advances economic or econometric theory and offers innovative approaches on issues of concern to economic policy makers.
The econometrics group has particular interest in econometric methodology, econometric modeling and time-series analysis. Additionally, many of the groups are actively involved in applied econometric research in macroeconomics, labor economics and finance.
Faculty of Agriculture is one of three founding faculties that made up the formation of Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (now Universiti Putra Malaysia) in 1971. Beginning with seven departments under this faculty, most of these departments were later developed to become several other faculties.
At the end of 1998, Faculty of Agriculture has 3 academic departments which are Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Department of Plant Protection and Department of Soil Science.
Beginning from 1 January 1999, the restructuring process at Universiti Putra Malaysia also involved Faculty of Agriculture. The restructuring is based on the concept of uniting or integration of the main elements in the agricultural systems consisting of crop, animal, soil, technology and management. On this basis, the Faculty of Agriculture now have 6 departments - Crop Science, Animal Science, Plant Protection, Land Management, Agribusiness and Information System, and Agriculture Technology.
The Faculty of Agriculture currently offers programs in Bachelor of Agricultural Science, Bachelor of Horticultural Science, and Bachelor of Science (Agribusiness), Bachelor of Agriculture (Aquaculture) and Bachelor of Agriculture (Animal Science). Beside those, programs at postgraduate levels offered are Master in Agriculture Science, Master in Science, Master in Land Resource Management, Master in Plantation Management, Master in Sustainable Land Management and PhD.[13]
The Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences (BioTech UPM) was established on 1 August 2004 with the merger of two departments, the Department of Biotechnology (from the Faculty of Food Science and Biotechnology) and the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology (from the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies). With the formation of BioTech UPM, all activities involving biotechnology in UPM are organised under one administration. Since its formation, the Faculty has four departments:
On 9 February 1995, the Senate supported the idea of establishing Universiti Pertanian Malaysia Research Institute with the aim that it will organise research and development programmes in line with the corporate plan of Universiti Pertanian Malaysia. The proposed Institute was conceived as a central research centre in UPM for researchers from various faculties and centres to conduct strategic and multidisciplinary research in a conducive and world class research environment. The proposal on the establishment of the Institute was presented to the Universiti Pertanian Malaysia Board of Directors on 1 April 1995 which agreed in principle to the proposal and requested a detailed proposal paper. The name Universiti Pertanian Malaysia Research Institute was revised and the new name, Institute of Bioscience (IBS), was accepted by the Senate. In its 120 th Meeting on 9 September 1995, the Board of Directors agreed to the formation of the Institute.
The Committee on Education Planning under the Ministry of Education Malaysia in its 131 st Meeting held on 27 April 1996, approved the proposal for the establishment of Institute of Bioscience, UPM. Over the past 14 years, the Institute of Bioscience has rearranged and developed the existing units into 5 laboratories to ensure the smoothness and effectiveness of administration as well as resource and facilities management. Each laboratory has 2 main functions, i.e. doing researches and provides the Service and Facility Unit. These 5 laboratories are:
The Institute of Advanced Technology (ITMA), Universiti Putra Malaysia was established on 1 November 1999 as an interdisciplinary advanced research institute. ITMA provides leadership in research and development in Physical Science, Information Technology and Engineering. There are four laboratories under ITMA:
Consistent with the UPM’s Strategy Plan targeted for 2001–2010, UPM has established eight goals to realize its vision. Each goal has its own specific measurable objectives and the second goal is to transform UPM into a renowned research university.
To realize the goals, four Research Laboratories have been formed. Each is led by the Head of Laboratory. The Laboratories are:
Halal Products Research Institute (HPRI) has been established officially on 1 July 2006 resulting from restructuring Halal Food Institute to undertake research and development (R & D) in the halal products industry. The establishment of the Halal Products Research Institute serves as a one-stop center or 'one-stop center' approach through a comprehensive, balanced and multifaceted to study all aspects of halal products in national and global levels.
Halal Products Research Institute aims to be a center of excellence in halal products research, as well as providing a professional services in realizing the countries' aim in developing the field of agriculture and make Malaysia as a Global Halal Hub.[15]
The establishment of Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP) on 1st October 2006 has marked the new era for Forestry and Forest Products R&D in UPM. The merging of Institute of Tropical Biocomposite and the Rain Forest Academy is very timely and much awaited for in lieu of the current issues in global climatic changes and depletion supply of natural resources.
Forestry and Forest Products are among the major sectors that are directly associated with the environment. For those who are interested in the future of green environment, and the industries it supports, there are major challenges ahead. We have to find ways of producing sufficient wood and raw materials to meet our current and future needs, yet at the same time manage land and the landscape in such a way that the environment is protected and its biodiversity is enriched. Meeting these challenges requires knowledge of technical, environmental, economic and social issues, and graduates with this knowledge will be vital in solving problems, and in developing sustainable patterns of the national forest land use for the 21st century.
INTROP is all about forest canopy management, bioresource variation and sustainability, sustainable utilization of biocomposite products, cutting edge technology, technological prowess, product development and innovation, market exploration and competitiveness. INTROP is also about smart partnership, capacity building, human resource development, local and international recognition. The activities in INTROP shall be governed by environmental friendly technology through optimization of sustainable bioresource management. To date, INTROP has earned credos of government standing in issues pertaining to forestry, wood/fibre resources, development of biocomposites, product standard, and commercialization.
Given the scenario, INTROP through its R&D programmes and networking, shall strive to assist the Forestry and the Forest Products sector to sustain its growth and secure its place in the coming uncertainties of globalisation. In this endeavour, the Institute and UPM shall also strive to be a reference point for all things forestry and Forest Products in the tropics. The establishment of INTROP coincides with the current needs future government's plan especially in producing quality graduates as the country's professional human resources.[16]
The MIDP is a key link-up between Imperial College London, the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education and five key Malaysian universities, Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
The MIDP supports the Malaysian government's aim to increase the proportion of university academic staff educated to degree level, and encourages the fostering of academic and research links between Imperial and Malaysia. MIDP PhD students are enroled as joint-PhD students at Imperial College London, with their research supervised by an Imperial College London academic. The supervisor is supported by a co-supervisor at the host university in Malaysia, and the student spends time at both institutions. There is also support for both supervisor to visit the other campus.
The first cohort of MIDP students enroled at Imperial College London in spring 2007, and are studying in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Division of Investigative Science (Medicine) and the Division of Surgery, Oncology, Reproductive Biology and Anaesthetics (Medicine).[17]
In 2007, the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) negotiated an 8 year Partnership Agreement on behalf of seven Malaysian Universities and The University of Melbourne. This Agreement is similar to agreements previously negotiated by the MOHE with Nottingham University and with Imperial College, London. The University of Melbourne is the only Australian university invited to participate in this initiative.
The primary objectives of the Agreement are:
to build capacity in the Malaysian higher education sector by providing joint PhD research training at The University of Melbourne and the designated Malaysian Universities to selected candidates from the participating Malaysian Universities; and to foster collaborative research and exchange between academic staff of the participating Malaysian universities and academic staff at The University of Melbourne. To achieve these objectives, Split PhD scholarships are being offered by the Malaysian universities to a selected number of their academic staff to undertake PhD training at The University of Melbourne. These scholarships are in addition to the regular full-time scholarships for overseas study offered by the MOHE through Malaysian public universities. The Split PhD scholarship enables the scholarship recipients to undertake the three year full-time University of Melbourne PhD degree over four years and candidates are expected to split their PhD study equally between The University of Melbourne and their respective Malaysian university. The following seven Malaysian universities have been selected by the Malaysian Government to be involved in the Split-PhD and research collaboration initiative with The University of Melbourne:
Universiti Malaya (UM) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) [18]
The Research Forest are at the Ayer Hitam Reserved Forest, Puchong, with space of 1,248 hectares. The location of this forest in just about 20km from the capital city Kuala Lumpur and less than 10 km from the main campus of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Serdang. The Selangor State Government awarded this Research Forest in a long term agreement for a term of 80 years beginning 1996 with the main purposes for education. research and extension related to forestry. This forest is managed together by Selangor Forestry Department and Faculty of Forestry UPM based on sustainable forest management. The Forest Management Plan for Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve is prepared by the faculty.
The forest area, which includes compartment 1, 2, 12, 13, 14 and 15, is the only well- managed Lowland Dipterocarp Forest in the Klang Valley. The facilities currently available are a partially enclosed multipurpose hall, prayer room, kitchen, bathrooms, toilets and a playing field. The base camp can accommodate around 100 to 150 person at a particular time.
This forest is also used for teaching purposes in the field of forestry, wood science and park & recreation management. There are many field plots for research activities in silviculture, wildlife management, forest ecology, forest survey, forest engineering, hydrology, etc. The extension programmes commonly held include forestry, science, motivation, interpretation and ecological camps.[19]
The university logo is depicted in the shape of a shield, with lines and an abstract water droplet within the shield. The main colours of the logo are red and grey. Each aspect of the logo carries with it a certain symbolism, from the commitment to environmental conservation in the water droplet to the importance of agriculture based on the lines.[20]
UPM SONG PUTRA GEMILANG
The Universiti Putra Malaysia Students Representative Council (Malay: Majlis Perwakilan Pelajar UPM or MPPUPM) is the student council of UPM. The council is the main voice and medium of communication between students and the university authorities. Council members are elected every year from all the faculties in the university by a campus election process. The main duties of the student council is to organize activities to enhance students' life and represent students on issues pertaining to students welfare and development.