A Warm Welcome! - Universiti Putra Malaysia

A Warm Welcome!

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3Message from the Vice Chancellor5Getting To Know UPM6Name with a Touch of Royalty7Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Study in UPM 8The Future Is Here9A Vibrant Student Lifestyle10Facilities & Amenities12Sultan Abdul Samad Library Universiti Putra Malaysia16Students’ Sweet Taste Of Success18International Students From Around The World20A Sustainably Greener World24Research & DevelopmentResearch Management CentreOur Vision, Mission & GoalsUndergraduate Life After Study UPM Alumni CentreUniversiti Putra Malaysia’s Global Student Mobility106108ContentsContents

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5It is gratifying to see Universiti Putra Malaysia maturing into a competitive world-classresearch university that provides endless opportunities to those who seek them. This isthe learning place that moulds young adults, who first learn to enrich themselves withknowledge, after which, they will proceed to carve a name for themselves in society andthe nation. So it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to an institution of higher learningthat offers high quality education, cutting edge research and highly qualified academicstaff. With UPM, you will benefit from its legacy of knowledge and be inspired by a visionof excellence.UPM’s Strategic Plan for 2011-2013 sees the university takingits responsibility seriously. While playing a significant role inshaping the future of young minds, UPM constantly improvesitself by identifying 42 Key Performance Indicators (KPI)under its Strategic Plans. The KPIs are assessed quarterlyto evaluate their practicality, efficiency and effectiveness.Students can be sure that they are receiving only the best asour Strategic Plans benefit them the most.I am happy to share that UPM produced 369 PhD students in2011 alone, the highest annual total in its history. I highlightthis achievement as testimony of our commitment to qualitypostgraduate studies and to salute the students who acceptedthe challenge to improve themselves before taking on therole to contribute to society. I am also proud UPM’s GraduateEmployability index, monitoring graduates gainfully employedwithin six months of graduation, rose to 75.3% in 2011 from74.1% in 2010. Undoubtedly, the numbers demonstrateemployers‘ confidence in UPM graduates.Also, our UPM Alumni contributed RM5.97 million to theuniversity in 2011 compared to RM800,000 in 2010, a clearindication of how successful our students have been insociety. They have the desire to help current students in theuniversity, thus the funds will be channelled to improve theservices on campus and for student scholarships.Looking forward, and inspired by our Vision of Excellence,our aspirations are to achieve more for our students and thecountry. We champion education here because our studentswho graduate from UPM will in turn stride into the future asleaders of industry and society.Ir. Radin Umar bin Radin SohadiVice Chancellor ’s MessageMessage from the Vice Chancellor

6G e t t i n g To K n o w U P MGetting To Know UPMBeing a student in Universiti PutraMalaysia (UPM) is to be part of aleading multi-disciplinary, researchintensive university of internationalrepute. The University offers a diverserange of high quality and worldclass programmes while maintainingexcellence in academic pursuits.There are many reasons that make studying in UPM unique and special. Tohighlight a few: A wide choice of 68 undergraduate programmes and over 400 fields ofpostgraduate studies. Almost 30,000 student population with about 10% international students from60 countries. Top notch amenities and facilities for a wonderful student lifestyle. UPM is a vibrant university and a great destination.Lush and beautiful green environment for a conducive learning atmosphere.The main campus in Serdang in Peninsular Malaysia is set in a 1,214-hectarepiece of land, and Over 1,100 hectares of twhich has been turned into theUniversity Agriculture Park.Many more great reasons contribute to the advantages of learning in UPM. ThisProspectus offers a good sneak preview of all that you will experience and enjoyas a member of the UPM community.

7Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) before April 1997, wasknown as Universiti Pertanian Malaysia. The changeof name was timely. The country was developingrapidly and an institution of higher learning needed toevolve with the times. “Putra” serves as a tribute to thefounding father of the country - the first Prime Ministerof Malaysia, Tengku Abdul Rahman Putra, who wasalso a prince.“Putra” is befitting in many ways. The name signifiesyouthfulness and eagerness in exploration. As thenation moved forward boldly, Universiti Putra Malaysiawas at every step of the way, contributing to theadvancement of the country.Just as how the name denotes the characteristics of “Putra”,UPM is creative, innovative and resourceful, especially in thenew world of modern, space-age technology. Simultaneously,intense focus is also given to land resource and bio-based food,and medicine from the nation’s vast, virgin jungles.“Putra” offers a wide range of choices, making UPM a multidisciplinary institution of higher learning with an exciting rangeof science and arts-based disciplines.A Royally Apt NameName with a Touch of Royalty

8To p 1 0 R e a s o n s W h y Y o u S h o u l d S t u d y I n U P MTOP 10REASONSWhy You Should Study in UPM1The FIRST to offer anagricultural programme in Malaysianearly eight decades 4A UPM proffesor was the firstin Asia to win the UNESCO CarlosJ. Finlay Award in Mircobiology.550% of Malaysians listed astop OIC scientists are from UPM.Forestry programmes in Malaysia.637Food Science & Technology, andThe FIRST two winners ofthe national science award wereUPM professors.UPM produces the highestnumber of PhD studentsMore than half of thecommercialised R&D products (20)in Malaysia come from UPM.8UPM received the highestamount and number of researchgrants in the last 20 years9ProductThe only certified HalalResearchInstituteinMalaysia is at UPM.10TheFirstandonlyInternational Biomass TechnologyCentre in the country undertakingR&D in tropical biomass.

9Learning As evidenced in history, UPM enjoys the reputation ofbeing an academic trendsetter. In the recent past, new faculties relevantto national and global needs were set up accordingly. This institutionof higher learning offers a dynamic learning culture that encouragesinnovation and creativity in its purest sense.Dynamic teaching practices are also employed by highly qualifiedacademic staff, many of whom are internationally recognised as leadersin their fields. The teaching process is supported by state-of-the-artclassrooms and laboratories.Experience Modern infrastructure in accommodation, facilitiesand fibre optic communication system enable students to experiencea lifestyle that is comfortable, affordable and conducive to learning.Students do not merely gain valuable knowledge, but also learn softskills, social activities, recreation and other varied interests.Outside of academic pursuits, UPM is located in a country that offers richcultural and natural diversity, a valuable experience in itself.Into The Future The learning and experience gained in UPMprepare graduates to enter the work force comfortably. UPM graduates aremuch sought after and within months of leaving, most graduates are alreadyemployed. Many do remain to continue their education in specialised fields.The support and network gained at UPM Alumni makes moving into thefuture easy as tens of thousands of alumni members live all over the world.They provide valuable help and are always willing to assist graduatesachieve career success.The Future Is HereThe Future Is Here

10A Vibrant Student LifestyleA Vibrant Student LifestyleIn UPM, it is all about you. The campus is equipped with facilities and designed to makestudent life easy yet highly interesting. UPM encourages students to not just embraceacademic excellence but also to be involved in varied social interests and extra curricularactivities so as to develop themselves to be learned, informed and all-rounded individuals.ActivitiesMany extra curricular activities areavailable for UPM students. Theyrange from sports clubs, associations,unions,to arts culture and performingarts, groups and many otherassociations. Most students are ableto find something they can relate to orbuild interest in, something they maylearn to love. A few have taken thelead to start new clubs that meet everevolving needs.Sports ClubsUPM is equipped with quality andworld class sports facilities on campus.These include a sports complex witha main stadium for track and field, amultipurpose hall for indoor games,and facilities for other sports. Adding tothe list are the Olympic-size swimmingpool, tennis courts and a hockey field.Martial ArtsA unique extra-curricular sportingactivity and not commonly foundelsewhere is martial arts that originatedfrom the traditional Malay art of selfdefenceAssociations / Clubs in UnionHouseCommon interests bring studentstogether through the various clubs andsocieties in UPM. They range fromreligion, uniformed society, outingactivities, hobbies and others. Pandu Puteri ClubAssociation ofQKP Students Association of GoldenKey National Honour Malaysia UPMAkhbar Mahasiswa ClubMahasiswa SarawakMahasiswa Sabah GabunganPerwakilan Nahwar Nur Club Association Association of HindusAssociation of Seniof Buddhists Association of Seni SilatCekak Association of Tae Kwan Do Association of Pentas Association ofChristians Association of CatholicsSilat LincahKarate-DoAssociation of Shito-Ryu

11UPM students celebrate their rich and colourful cultures through the various arts and culture associations. Driven by passionand interest, students are exposed to traditional dances, performing arts, music, literature, and other forms of the humanities.Most of these clubs have public performances that are open to the public at least once a year.Badan Kesenian Uniputra (Seni Tari) Rebana Ubi Club Club Band Club Penggiat Teater Sejagat (PENTAS)Kijang Emas (Dikir Barat) ClubGendang Uniputra Club Caklempong ClubNasyid Nahwan Nur Club Kompang Seni WarisanPantun dan Puisi ClubTarian Klasik India (Putra Kalashektra) Club Choir ClubRakan Muda SecretariatA Vibrant Student LifestyleAssociations of Arts, Culture and Rakan Muda

12Facilities & AmenitiesFacilities & AmenitiesUPM is a complete university that makes students’ life easy and comfortable, be it ininfrastructure, accommodation or just to head out to a place to chill out. Students will findall they need on campus.TransportationFood & DrinksStudents’ transportation inside andoutside of campus is well taken careof via the UPM coach service. Eachstudent pays RM75 (approximatelyUSD 20) per semester for unlimitedrides during the period. UPM’s StudentAffairs Division has also allocated morethan 20 University buses to cater tostudents’ academic and co-curricularactivities outside the campus.There are many cafeterias, restaurantsand food stalls available within thecampus and in the surroundingneighbourhood.Foodcanbeobtained at any hour. In addition tothe cafeterias in faculties, many eatouts in the vicinity are open 24 hours.Fast food outlets are also available inthe vicinity, namely McDonalds, KFC,Ayamas, Marrybrown.Health & WelfareAll international students are eligible for outpatient clinic service provided at theUniversity Health Centre, which is located on campus. The health centre providesa comprehensive array of health services and is well-equipped with modernhealth facilities and pharmaceutical amenities, which enable efficient provisionof effective health and dental services to all registered students. Among facilitiesand services available at the centre are medical, dental, x-ray, physiotherapy,ambulance service, dispensary, laboratory and many more.