About UTM | Dr. Syahrullail Samion

ABOUT UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA (UTM)

THE MEANING OF UTM'S LOGO

As the philosophy and motto imply, UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA (UTM) is an institution that relates its purpose and activities closely to science, technology and Islam, with its values and philosophy centred around the core principles of Islam. This is reflected in UTM's logo as depicted in THE OPEN BOOK IN GOLD, which symbolises the Holy Quran as the source of knowledge. THE GOLDEN CIRCLE which symbolises the magnificent universe entrusted upon mankind by His Creator, THE ROUND-BOTTOM FLASK, a symbol of science which forms the basis of technology and THE CRESCENT which is the symbol of Islam.

PHILOSOPHY OF THE UNIVERSITY
The divine law of Allah is the foundation for science and technology. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia strives with total and unified effort to develop excellence in science and technology for universal peace and prosperity, in accordance with HIS Will.

VISION
To be a world-class centre of academic and technological excellence through creativity.

MISSION
To lead in the development of creative human resource and technology in line with the aspirations of the nation.

Official website of UTM (Click here)

THE HISTORY OF UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

Treacher Technical School, 1904
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The history of technological studies in this country has been a century old. It all began in 1904 when a Treacher Technical School began its operation on Weld Road (now jalan Raja Chulan) to teach Technical Assistants for the Federal Malay States Departments of Railways, Survey and Public Works. Students followed classed on part-time basis; they worked and trained specifically according to the technical needs of their employment.
Technical College, 1941
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In 1941, the Advisory Committee of Technical Schools and the Education Department recommended that the Technical School be elevated to a college status and proposed that a new Technical College be constructed. The new college was to be built on a 47 acres piece of Government land in Gurney Road (now Jalan Semarak), Kuala Lumpur. Plans for the construction of the college, however, were put on hold when World War II erupted in Peninsular Malaysia. The Technical College was was eventually completed and was officially opened on March 1, 1955 by British High Commisioner, Sir Donald MacGillivray. In the early years, the Technical College conducted engineering course at diploma level in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Radio Engineering, Land Surveying, Building Architecture and Quality Surveying, while a special in Automobile Engineering was offered for the transportation enforcement officers. The total enrolment for 1958/1959 academic session was 320 student. In 1960, the college began a new era by upgrading its engineering course to the Baccalaureate level. Student following course at the college had the opportunities to sit for professional examinations conducted by Institution of Civil Engineers and Institution of mechanical Engineers, United Kingdom and Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Students for these professional courses were drawn for in service government servants for the Federation of Malaya Singapore, Borneo and Brunei. Minimum entry requirements then were Grade I and II in the Cambridge School Certificate or Malayan School Certificate with credits in English Language and Basic Mathematics. Priorities were given to those who obtained credits in Science subjects.
National Technic Institute (Institut Teknik Kebangsaan, ITK), 1972
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By the 1965/1966 academic session, there were 682 full-time students studying at the Technical College. The increase in the enrolment was a direct result of the shift in the government's policy which gave more emphasis on the technology-oriented industries in order to develop the growing economy. Subsequent to this change, demands for trained human resources in the technical field rose remarkably. With the rapid economic expansion, Technical College became the popular choice for further education, well supported by its many modern and improved teaching facilities. For the year 1969 admission, the college received an overwhelming 1,300 entry applications when it could only accept about 280 students. By that time, the total enrolment of full-time students at the Technical College numbered at 872 students. A committee was formed by the Ministry of Education in early 1971 to study the feasibility of upgrading Technical College into a university. The committee recommended the formation of a technological University using Bahasa Melayu as the medium of instruction. On March 14, 1972, DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Dipertuan Agong officially proclaimed the formation of Institut Teknik Kebangsaan (ITK) under section 6(1) of the University and College Act 1971. This new institution inherited all the basic amenities and facilities of the former Technical College of Gurney Road. Mr. Ainuddin Abdul Wahid who was the principle of Technical College was made the first Rector of ITK. An interim Council consisting of nine members was formed and tasked to draw major policies to be implemented in the new establishment. Three key administrative positions were also formalized the Registrar, the Bursar, and the Chief Librarian.

ITK had three main faculties: Engineering, Architecture and Surveying plus a Center for Science and Humanities. Each faculty was led by a Dean, while the Rector himself chaired the Science and Humanities Center. The engineering faculty was the biggest, consisting of three main departments of civil, mechanical and electrical engineering. The Center for Science and Humanities hosted three department; Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. The Humanities section, however was separated from the centre on July 1, 1973. For the 1972/1973 academic year, ITP 130 administrative staff, 61 academic staff with additional 37 part-time lecturers, and a total enrolment of 1,467 full-time student.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in Kuala Lumpur, 1971
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ITK went through tremendous changes and on April 1, 1975, the Institute reached another milestone in its history when it was officially declared as UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA (UTM). The Rector's position was upgraded to a Vice-Chancellor position, and a Deputy Vice-Chancellor responsible for students' affairs was also appointed to look after the demands and welfare of the increasing students population. In 1976, the government approved the new University's Constitution and the University's Senate and Council were established.

In line with the changing status, the University began focusing on the establishment and development of its academic faculties. As of 1975/1976 academic year, the Faculty of Engineering split into three independent faculties of Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Faculties. These three engineering faculties together with Faculty of Built Environment and Faculty of Surveying, plus the Centre for Science for Science Students and Centre for Humanities Students became the precursors of most academic programmes in UTM today. By 1976, the total student population had reached 2,593 with 1,745 pursing diploma level studies, 607 in the degree programmes, and 241 in the integrated programmes. On December 3, 1977, UTM withnessed its first group of 65 graduates being conferred their degrees in the inaugural convocation ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, graced by the Royal Highness Almarhum Sultan Ismail Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim, the first Chancellor of UTM. As the years progressed, several more new faculties were established: the Centre for Science Studies was upgraded to become the Faculty of Science in June 1981; the Science Studies was upgraded to become the Faculty of Science in June 1981; the department of Petroleum and Natural Gas of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering was weaned off to become the Faculty of Chemical and Natural Resources Engineering in March 1983, and the Institute of Computer Science which was formerly under the wings of Faculty of Science was officially upgraded to a faculty status in 1984.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in Skudai, Johor, 1985
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The establishment of new faculties also meant new academic programmes, increasing student and staff populations, plus added demands for facilities. This accelerated physical expansion and development had resulted in a crammed situation in Jalan Gurney campus that it could no longer accommodate additional amenities and building. Through the gracious assent of His Majesty Almarhum Sultan Ismail Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim, then Sultan of Johor, the University meticulously planned its move to a new campus located on a sprawling 2,400 acres of land in Skudai, Johor. Construction works had actually begun steadily since as early as 1978. The RM1 billion new campus was officially opened on September 16, 1985 by His Majesty Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail, then the Yang diPertuan Agong, in his capacity as his capacity as the second Chancellor of UTM. The lush green land of Skudai campus proves to be truly fertile grounds for it further inspired UTM to continue. More new faculties were formalized: the Centre for Humanities Studies gained a new status as a faculty in January 1991 and renamed itself as the Faculty of Management and Human Resource Development. The Department of Islamic Studies which had been under the Humanities Centre also became a separate entity and now known as the Centre for Islamic Studies and Social Development. Faculty of Education was established in January 1994. In addition to these new establishments, other faculties also continue to further expand their academic programmes for both undergraduate and post-graduate degrees, as well as set up various centers of excellence for research and teaching purposes.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Millennium era
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Clearly, through inheritance, the history of education in UTM has surpassed its one-hundredth year. Although these one hundred years have been beset with difficulties and challenges, especially in the early years, UTM has stood its ground. The resoluteness of its leaders has opened doors to progress and maturity, and has created reputation that is enviable by many. Through dedication and hard work of its staff, UTM has gained international recognitions in the fields of science and technology. Its scholars and students have never failed to score and to create names for themselves, the university, and the country wherever they go. Indeed, UTM has been and shall always be, synonymous with the progress and development of science and technology in Malaysia.

Dr. Syahrullail Samion

Changing the world, three credits at a time…

ABOUT UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA (UTM)

Treacher Technical School, 1904

Technical College, 1941

National Technic Institute (Institut Teknik Kebangsaan, ITK), 1972

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in Kuala Lumpur, 1971

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in Skudai, Johor, 1985

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Millennium era