Sustaining Excellence, UMP is now known as UMPSA

PEKAN, 30 July 2023 - After 21 years of glory, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) is now branded as Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA).

His Majesty Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah consented to the use of the UMPSA logo and name according to the Federal Government gazette effective 14 April 2023.

The university started as the University College of Engineering and Technology Malaysia (KUKTEM), a technical university established on 16 February 2002.

After five years of operation, the Government of Malaysia announced the change of the name KUKTEM to Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) effective 1 February 2007.

According to the UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, the university’s branding to UMPSA when it was at its peak of success coincides with its vision towards a leading technological university.

“Despite the name change, the university’s main focus areas, programmes and enrollment remain unchanged according to the aims of its establishment.

“This branding will realise the aspiration of excellence achieved through academic empowerment and impactful research outputs and produce outstanding graduates to become quality human capital in driving excellent national development.

“UMP graduate employability is to be proud of when it achieved 98.67% and is among the highest in Malaysia,” he said.

This branding will also build visibility of the university’s reputation and capabilities in line with the development and achievements of world-recognised universities.

In addition, the university offers various engineering- and technology-based technical programmes that could empower the country’s high-level Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem.

As one of the universities in the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN), UMPSA is always committed to creating innovation and uniqueness in the offering of academic programmes through strategic networks at the international level.
Engineering programmes using world-class models such as the collaboration programme with Germany’s Karlsruhe University of Applied Science (HKA) is seen as the best benchmark for universities in Malaysia.

Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie added that in research, the university focuses on applied research and industrial projects with local industries to enrich teaching and learning while promoting research product commercialisation activities for the benefit of society in line with the slogan ‘Technology for Society’.

“It is even prouder that the university has also succeeded in strengthening good relations of its 13-year academic collaboration between UMPSA and German educational institution, Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences (HKA) to develop the German Engineering education model in the country’s technical education system through dual degree programmes in mechatronic, automotive and electrical engineering to produce more competent graduates who contribute to the country’s development.

“This includes the Business Engineering programme with Mannheim University of Applied Sciences and others.

“Other than Germany and Kazakh National Agrarian University, the dual degree programme is now expanded to China and this year, 46 students joined the UMPSA-BJTU dual degree programme at Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU) China involving civil, mechanical and electrical engineering which will contribute to the development of the country’s rail industry.

“The university also collaborates with universities in China including dual degree programmes with Tianjin University (TJU) and Ningxia University (NXU), LiuZhou Railway Vocational Technology College Guangxi, China (LZRVTC), Baotou Railway Vocational & Technical College and others,” he said.

Meanwhile, the new programme involving collaboration with the Faculty of Computing (FK) and the Faculty of Civil Engineering Technology (FTKA) will be explored with institutions in South Korea including Hanyang University ERICA.

He added that the university’s collaboration with the industry as a synergy partner would certainly empower the TVET field in driving Malaysia towards a developed and high-income country based on technology and innovation.

“Certainly, the branding of UMPSA will continue to sustain the university’s glory towards the best technological university in the world.

“At the same time, UMPSA always strives to introduce sustainable technologies and practices to the community, educate and become a role model on sustainability principles.

“As the outcomes of the commitment of UMPSA staff, previously known as UMP, the university recently managed to achieve a position among the world’s best universities where it was ranked 201-250th in the world in the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2023 (THE Young) which lists the world’s best universities that are 50 years or younger,” he said.

The university is also ranked 801-1000th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE WUR) 2023 and 201-250th in the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings Asia.

The university also excelled last year when ranked 301-400th in the 2023 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (THE Impact).

The THE Impact rating is a global rating system that evaluates the university’s efforts towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations (UN).

The university is ranked 103rd globally and fifth in Malaysia based on its campus sustainability and environmental management efforts in the UI-Greenmetric World University Ranking 2022.

UMPSA campus sustainability continues to be recognised when it is ranked 401-450th in the world and sixth in Malaysia for the QS World University Sustainability Rankings.

As the best university in the Malaysian technical university network (MTUN), UMPSA will continue to demonstrate its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and evaluate the university’s efforts in addressing world problems related to the environment, social and governance (ESG).

By: Mimi Rabita Abdul Wahit, Corporate Communications Division, Chancellery Department
Translation by: Dr.  Rozaimi  Abu  Samah, Engineering  College/Faculty  of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology