UPM University Malaysia

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About the University

University of Putra Malaysia (Universiti Putra Malaysia in Malay) which is stands for UPM is a Malaysian public university.

The School of Agriculture was the original name of the University Putra Malaysia when it was founded in 1931 and UPM is focusing on Agricultural science.

The school, which was situated on a 22-acre plot of land in Serdang, which is the largest university in Malaysia, offered two programs: a one-year certificate program in agriculture and a three-year diploma program. Sir Edward Gent, the then-Gov. of the Malayan Union, renamed the institution the College of Agriculture Malaya in 1947.

The Serdang College of Agriculture and the University of Malaya’s Faculty of Agriculture combined to form University of Pertanian Malaysia. By virtue of the provisions of Section 18 of the Universities and University Colleges Act of 1971, Dr. Mohd. Rashdan bin Haji Baba, the then-principal of the College of Agriculture Malaya, was appointed as the first Vice-Chancellor.

The study of human ecology, languages, architecture, medicine, computer science, and biotechnology have all been added during the 1990s. Currently, these fields as well as agriculture, forestry, veterinary medicine, economics, engineering, sciences, and education are covered by 15 faculties, 11 institutions, and 2 schools.

UPM University History

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture, and a Division of Foundation Studies comprised the three primary faculties and one basic division that comprised University Pertanian Malaysia’s initial intake of 1,559 students in July 1973.

Early in the 1980s, UPM expanded its scope of study to cover the fields of science and technology (S&T). Former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad renamed the university from University Pertanian Malaysia to University Putra Malaysia in 1997 as a calculated move to highlight UPM’s status as a hub of higher learning capable of offering a variety of fields of study, particularly in science and information technology, which support the development of the country in the new millennium.

 

Vision

To develop into a renowned worldwide university.

Mission

Through the exploration and dissemination of knowledge, to significantly improve the nation’s prosperity, its development, and the well-being of all people.

Goals

• Produce graduates who can withstand trials and who are resolute.
• Create centers for research and innovation that produce a sustainable environment based on value.
• Establish a healthy ecology for business and community networking
• Boost Resilience of Agriculture and Food Security
• Strengthen institutional leadership, financial stability, and environmental sustainability

Information about University Putra Malaysia (UPM):

Name	University Putra Malaysia
QS Global World Ranking	#158
Asian Ranking	#27
Motto	With Knowledge We Serve
University	Public
Total Students	25,628
Academic Faculty Staff	3,370
Research Output	very high
Established	21 May 1931
Location	Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Website	www.upm.my

Faculties and Institutes

• Faculty of Agriculture
• Faculty of Forestry
• Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
• Faculty of Economics and Management
• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Educational Studies
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Food Science and Technology
• Faculty of Human Ecology
• Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication
• Faculty of Design and Architecture
• Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology
• Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences
• Faculty of Environmental Studies
• Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science (located at Bintulu, Sarawak)
• Institute of Bioscience
• Institute of Advanced Technology (ITMA)
• Institute of Gerontology
• Institute of Mathematical Research
• Halal Product Research Institute
• Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Product
• Institute of Agriculture and Food Policy Studies
• Institute for Social Science Studies
• Institute of UTropical Agriculture

UPM QS Ranking 2024

One of the best public universities in Seri Kembangan, Malaysia is University Putra Malaysia (UPM). In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, it is rated #158. It is also ranked #27 in Asia.

UPM Top Subjects

In two subjects, University Putra Malaysia (UPM) is ranked first in Malaysia according to the QS World University Rankings (QSWUR) by Subjects 2022. The two courses are Veterinary Science and Agriculture and Forestry, according to a statement from the university’s vice chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Roslan Sulaiman.

Minimum English Language Requirements

Except for Doctor of Medicine and a few Bachelor programs, which have higher English requirements, you must meet the minimal English language proficiency criteria to be admitted to UPM.

Facilities and Services

In keeping with its mission as a top academic institution of international importance, UPM provides exceptional facilities to satisfy the different demands of its campus community.

Accommodation

On-campus

For the convenience of UPM students, there are 17 residential colleges. These colleges have adequately equipped computer and study areas. There is also laundry service and other conveniences. In addition, UPM provides graduate housing in the form of contemporary flats at the Graduate Housing Complex for married international and local students. Prior to arriving in Malaysia, international students are urged to make their reservations. The Graduate Housing Complex’s convenient campus location gives students easy access to campus and university resources, providing opportunities for students to further their intellectual development in a supportive atmosphere.

Off-Campus (Private)

Private housing is accessible near UPM for students looking for alternate accommodations. Serdang Indah (4 kilometers), Taman University (6 kilometers), Taman Sri Serdang (2 kilometers), Bukit Serdang (5 kilometers), Serdang Jaya (2 kilometers), Seri Kembangan/Serdang Baru (3 kilometers), Balakong (4 kilometers), and Sungai Besi are suggested sites for relocating (6km).

Library

The Sultan Abdul Samad Library at UPM is one of the best in the area and offers a wide variety of reading materials. A qualified group of library liaison officers supports this cutting-edge array of services.

Sport

The UPM sports complex has top-notch amenities like a stadium, a pool that meets international standards, soccer and rugby fields, as well as basketball, tennis, and badminton courts.

Student Health Center

 

International Partners Collaborations

University Putra Malaysia (UPM) is one of the leading Research Universities. UPM was founded in 1971 through a merger between the College of Agriculture Malaya and the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Malaya. Since its inception, UPM has continued to expand with a vision to become a university of international repute.

Currently, UPM is ranked 270th in the QS World University Ranking 2016 and 42th Best Global Universities in Agricultural Science by US News 2016. Located in Serdang, next to Malaysia’s Administrative Center of Putrajaya and about 20 km from Kuala Lumpur, UPM remains one of the most popular higher education destinations in Malaysia.

Global Partnership 2022

UPM’s partnerships with governmental agencies and other bodies in the region are numerous and highly valued.

Close working relationship with the Department of Agriculture of Malaysia is particularly notable and has contributed to much research-led policy making. Such links, with governments, their agencies, and related bodies extend worldwide and include work with the United Nations, the World Health Organization, as well as with international private corporations.

UPM has numerous linkages and collaborations with outstanding international institutions and agencies around the globe such as the USA, Latin American countries, Japan, Korea, the Middle East, and others through Memorandum of Understanding and Memorandum of Agreement.

Various networking activities have been conducted such as mobility programs, staff and student exchange, research collaborations, commercialized activities, and technology transfer.

University	Location
Australia
University of Southern Queensland	Australia
University of Wollongong	Australia
University of Newcastle	Australia
Macquarie University, Sydney	Australia
The University of Western Australia	Australia
Austria
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna	Austria
Bangladesh
Bangladesh Agricultural University	Bangladesh
Cambodia
University of Cambodia	Cambodia
Canada
The University of Alberta	Canada
China
Chengde Medical University	China
Jinan University	China
Hainan University	China
The Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences	China
Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IBFC)	China
Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University	China
South China Agricultural University	China
Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (IMPLAD)	China
Guilin University of Electronic Technology China	China
Hunan University	China
WFCC-MIRCEN World Data Center for Microorganisms (WDCM)	China
Denmark
Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University Of Copenhagen	Denmark
Finland
Turku University of Applied Sciences	Finland
Asia Exchange Ltd.	Finland
France
Ecole d’ingénieurs de PURPAN	France
Agropolis International	France
University of La Rochelle	France
Germany
Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg	Germany
Helmholtz-Zentrum Fur Umweltforschung GmbH, UFZ	Germany
Universitat der Bundeswehr Munchen	Germany
School of Humanities, University of Mannheim	Germany
India
Kalasalingam University	India
Indonesia
Institut Teknologi Bandung	Indonesia
Universitas Islam Indonesia	Indonesia
Bina Nusantara University	Indonesia
Universitas Muhammadiyah Pontianak	Indonesia
Universitas Airlangga	Indonesia
Universitas Sebelas Maret	Indonesia
Universitas Brawijaya	Indonesia
State Islamic University Syarif Hidayutullah, Jakarta	Indonesia
Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Pertanian Agrobisnis Perkebunan (STIPAP)	Indonesia
University of Mulawarman (UNMUL)	Indonesia
University of Mataram (UNRAM)	Indonesia
Universitas Islam Negeri, Maulana Malik Ibrahim	Indonesia
Universitas Padjadjaran	Indonesia
Universitas Malahayati	Indonesia
Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI)	Indonesia
Iran
Sharif University of Technology	Iran
Alzahra University of Islamic Republic of Iran	Iran
University of Tehran	Iran
Ilam University of Medical Science	Iran
Isfahan University of Medical Sciences	Iran
Research Institute of Food Science and Technology (RIFST)	Iran
Materials and Energy Research Center (MERC)	Iran
Allameh Tabataba’I University	Iran
Islamic Azad University	Iran
Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC)	Iran
University of Science and Culture	Iran
Tehran University of Medical Sciences	Iran
Amirkabir University of Technology	Iran
Italy
International Plant Genetic Resources Institute	Italy
University of Padova	Italy
Politecnico Di Torino	Italy
Politecnico Di Milano	Italy
Japan
Research Center of Supercritical Fluid Technology, Tohoko University	Japan
University of Tsukuba	Japan
Hiroshima University	Japan
Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST)	Japan
Faculty and Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University	Japan
Shibaura Institute of Technology	Japan
Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute (The University of Tokyo) (AORI)	Japan
Kindai University	Japan
Shizuoka University	Japan
Kagoshima University	Japan
Chiba University	Japan
Shinshu University	Japan
Kanagawa University	Japan
Southern Tohoku Research Institute for Neuroscience	Japan
Niigata University	Japan
Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST)	Japan
The Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University	Japan
Okayama University	Japan
Functional Food Creation Research Institute Co.Ltd	Japan
Tokyo Metropolitan University	Japan
Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology	Japan
Mitsubishi Corporation	Japan
Kyushu Institute of Technology	Japan
Kochi University	Japan
Graduate School of Horticulture and Faculty of Horticulture, Chiba University	Japan
The Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI)	Japan
Tokyo University of Agriculture (TUA)	Japan
The National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES)	Japan
Soka University	Japan
Kazakhstan
Suleyman Demirel University, The Republic of Kazakhstan	Kazakhstan
L.N Gumilyov Eurasian National University	Kazakhstan
M. Auezov South Kazakhstan State University Korea	Kazakhstan
Daejeon University	Kazakhstan
Chung-Ang University	Kazakhstan
Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology	Kazakhstan
Kuwait
Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research	Kuwait
Malta
The International Institute On Ageing, United Nations-Malta	Malta
Mauritius
Alif Society	Mauritius
Mexico
University of Guanajuato	Mexico
Morocco
University of Guanajuato	Morocco
New Zealand
The University of Otago, Dunedin	New Zealand
Nigeria
University of Maiduguri	Nigeria
Pakistan
University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences	Pakistan
Institute of Business Management (IoBM)	Pakistan
Sindh Agriculture University	Pakistan
Palestine
University College of Applied Sciences	Palestine
Philippines
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)	Philippines
Portugal
University of Coimbra	Portugal
Saudi Arabia
IBN Rushd College for Management Sciences, Abha	Saudi Arabia
Spain
Universidad De Valladolid	Spain
Sudan
Sudan University of Science and Technology	Sudan
National University Sudan	Sudan
Al Zaiem Al Azhari University	Sudan
National Ilan University	Sudan
National Pingtung University of Science and Technology	Sudan
National Cheng Kung University	Sudan
National Yunlin University of Science and Technology	Sudan
Taiwan
National Taiwan University	Taiwan
Thailand
Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR)	Thailand
Chiang Mai University	Thailand
Lampang Rajabhat University	Thailand
National Center For Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency (BIOTEC)	Thailand
Chulalongkorn University	Thailand
Thonburi University	Thailand
Kasetsart University	Thailand
Thepsatri Rajabhat University	Thailand
Mahidol University	Thailand
Maejo University	Thailand
Srinakharinwirot University	Thailand
Silpakorn University	Thailand
Prince of Songkla University	Thailand
Naresuan University	Thailand
Turkey
Ataturk University	Turkey
Istanbul Aydin University	Turkey
Mevlana Exchange Program Protocol	Turkey
Suleyman Demirel University	Turkey
Kirikkale Universitesi	Turkey
Cukurova University	Turkey
Izmir Katip University	Turkey
Sakarya university	Turkey
Erzurum Technical University	Turkey
Agri Ibrahim Cecen University	Turkey
Hitit University	Turkey
Ondokuz Mayis University	Turkey
Istanbul University	Turkey
Amasya University	Turkey
Ataturk University	Turkey
UAE
United Arab Emirates University	United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
The University of Bristol	United Kingdom
The Chancellor Masters and Scholars of the University of Oxford	United Kingdom
Moredun Research Institute, Scotland	United Kingdom
University Reading	United Kingdom
Royal Agricultural University	United Kingdom
The University of Leeds	United Kingdom
The University of Sheffield	United Kingdom
United States
Cornell University	United States
WSI Corporation	United States
Republic of Uzbekistan
Tashkent State Agrarian University	Republic of Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Nong Lam University	Vietnam
University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University	Vietnam
Hadhramout Establishment for Human Development	Yemen

Multiple Institutions (Countries)

• Agropolis Fondation, France and Southeast Asian Regional Center For Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Philippines
• Asian Fisheries Society
• University Network For Tropical Agriculture (UNTA)

International Affiliations

UPM drives its direction towards becoming a global leading university with internationally accepted academic standards and global recognition through strategic collaborations with many global partners and active participation in global networks and international associations.
By participating in international associations, UPM offers enriching global education and research programs. Our academic faculties, research institutes, and centers are well-connected with other globally-oriented members of the associations which collaborate in various educational and research activities.

In addition, our students and staff have the opportunity to gain valuable cross-cultural experience and develop a strong appreciation of global issues and intercultural communications.

UPM is a member of many international associations around the world as listed below:

Africa

• Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW)

America

• Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM)
• Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM)

Asia

• University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP)
• Seameo Regional Center For Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)
• Asian Association of Agricultural Colleges and Universities (AAACU)
• The Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL)
• The Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP)
• Asia-Pacific Association Of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI)
  ASEAN University Network (AUN)

Europe

• Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
• Asean-European University Network (ASEA UNINET)
• International Association of Universities (IAU)
• International Council Of Museums (ICOM)
• EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce & Industry (EUMCCI)
• Committee on Sapace Research (COSPAR)

FAQs

Where is University Putra Malaysia located and when was it founded?

University Putra Malaysia (UPM) is a public university located in Seri Kembangan, Malaysia. It was originally founded as the School of Agriculture in 1931 and later became University Pertanian Malaysia before being renamed as University Putra Malaysia in 1997.

What programs were offered when University Putra Malaysia was first founded?

The School of Agriculture offered a one-year certificate program in agriculture and a three-year diploma program.

Who was appointed as the first Vice-Chancellor of University Pertanian Malaysia?

Dr. Mohd. Rashdan bin Haji Baba, the then-principal of the College of Agriculture Malaya, was appointed as the first Vice-Chancellor of University Pertanian Malaysia.

How many faculties, institutions, and schools are covered by University Putra Malaysia?

University Putra Malaysia covers 15 faculties, 11 institutions, and 2 schools.

What is University Putra Malaysia ranking?

According to Quacquarelli Symonds, the rank of University Putra Malaysia is currently 158th  globally and 27th among Asian universities.

What is Universiti Putra Malaysia known for?

Previously, it was known as Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Agricultural University of Malaysia), with a focus on agricultural sciences and associated subjects. Since the 1990s, the study of human ecology, languages, architecture, medicine, computer science, and biotechnology has grown in range.

What facilities and services are provided by University Putra Malaysia?

University Putra Malaysia provides exceptional facilities, including on-campus accommodation, private off-campus housing, and the Sultan Abdul Samad Library.

Transportation Accessibility

UPM buses circulate the Serdang campus as they transport students to their destinations (e.g. residential colleges or academic zone).

The closest train station right now is in Serdang, KB05, which is 15 minutes’ drive from UPM. Despite the fact that e-hailing is available on campus, students can get there by taking the UPM or Smart Selangor buses (route SJ04).

Students at UPM will be able to walk (or take a feeder bus) to the PY34 UPM MRT station, which is situated at the northwest edge of UPM, after the Putrajaya Line begins to function fully in January 2023.

UPM Location