Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) or Putra University, Malaysia is situated in the Peninsular Malaysia. It was ranked as number 364 in all the universities in the world in 2007. It is considered as one of the leading research universities in Malaysia.
Putra University, Malaysia – History
The school has its roots from the School of Agriculture that was established in May 21, 1931. It was located then in Serdang, Selangor. It offered a Diploma program for three years and a certificate course for one year. In 1942, it was upgraded to become the College of Agriculture Malaya.
University of Malaya’s Faculty of Agriculture on the other hand was established in 1962. It was in 1971 that the two educational units, College of Agriculture Malaya and University of Malaya’s Faculty of Agriculture merged to become Universiti Pertanian Malaysia.
Then in April 1997, the name was changed to Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Putra University, Malaysia – Courses offered
In the beginning, the school only offered degrees under the three faculties: Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Forestry and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science. The school has drastically expanded since its inception and now has 12 Masters and Doctoral programmes, 73 Bachelor’s degree programmes and eight Diploma programmes. To support the fast growing student population, the school has 16 Faculties to match this.
Putra University, Malaysia – Facilities available
UPM has two schools, the main campus in Serdang, Selangor and the a branch in Bintulu, Sarawak . It also has eight Centres and six Institutes.
Putra University, Malaysia – Research
UPM’s research focuses on the agricultural sciences and agriculture-related fields. It is in collaboration with various private and public sectors. It has received the highest research grants, and the highest IRA or Intensification of Research Priority Areas.