UMT has come a long way since its humble beginning as a small centre located at Kg Pak Tuyu in Mengabang Telipot, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu.

It recently celebrated the 20^th anniversary of its establishment in a jubilant manner. The celebration was even more meaningful given all the success UMT has had over the years.

“UMT’s excellence is a proof of strong dedication by its staff, who have worked tirelessly to propel UMT to greater heights,” said Professor Dr Mazlan Abd Ghaffar, Acting Vice Chancellor, in his speech during the celebration’s opening ceremony, held online 1 July.

UMT started off as a centre, called Centre for Fisheries and Marine Science, set up by the then Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (now Universiti Putra Malaysia) in 1979. After briefly upgrading the centre to become University College of Terengganu (KUT) in 2001, the government, in response to rapid educational demand, announced KUT as Malaysia’s 14^th public institution of  higher learning. The name was changed to Science and Technology University College of Malaysia (KUSTEM), and it was given full autonomy.

In 2007, KUSTEM was given a new name, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT). Today, UMT has close to 2000 staff including management personnel and academicians from various fields and expertise. Throughout the 20 years of its establishment, UMT has had five Vice Chancellors, each with their unique charisma and strength in propelling UMT to greater heights.

Backed by strong leadership, UMT has undergone several revolutionary changes, in its efforts to become a renowned centre of reference for marine science, putting it on par with already well-established universities.

UMT’s uniqueness that sets it apart from other universities is its focus on the niche areas of marine science and aquatic resources. This focus is reflected in its slogan, “Ocean of Discovery, for Global Sustainability”.

UMT’s strong effort in achieving national recognition eventually came to fruition. In 2012, UMT’s Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS) was recognized as Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) for Marine Science and Oceanography. Then, last January, its Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP) was recognized likewise, as HICoe for Research and Innovation.

Befitting its stature, AKUATROP is actively supporting the National Food Security Policy, drafted May last year under Malaysia’s Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, through its four research programmes, Aquaculture Resource Sustainability; Aquaculture Breeding Technology; Aquaculture Green Technology; and Fish Health and Food Quality Assurance.  

UMT researchers have been making breakthrough contributions. Among them is a discovery a phenomenon called upwelling, movement of water with high nutrients from the ocean bottom to the surface, along the waters in the east coast of Malaysia. The discovery has helped fishermen locate high potential areas. UMT researchers have also introduced a new innovation to accelerate coral colonization for coral reef formation. The coral farming technique is patented at Malaysia Intellectual Property Corporation (MyIPO).

UMT women scientists have carved a name for themselves at the international scene. In 2014 it was Associate Professor Dr Wahizatul Afzan Azmi, and in 2019 Associate Professor Dr Wan Iryani Wan Ismail. Both were recognized by L’Oreal-UNESCO for their research excellence.

UMT, once a small institution, has earned a place in many of the rankings, nationally and internationally. These include QS World University Rankings, QS Asian University Rankings, QS Subject Rankings, THE World University Rankings, THE Impact Rankings, UI Green Metric Rankings, Highly Cited Researchers (Web of Science), Malaysia Research Assessment (MyRA), and Malaysian Higher Institution Integrated Ranking (SETARA).

“All these rankings have improved UMT’s global visibility and will turn it into 3R and 1D University (Respected, Referred, Relevant, Distinctive), which will increase its international student enrolment and academic as well research collaborations with world-renowned universities,” Professor Mazlan said.

He added that a university may soar higher when its staff is innovative and able to think in global terms. “We need to keep practicing this at UMT, so we can remain as a leading institution in the field of marine science. We need to create new knowledge, great research, new ideas, excellent education for students, and we want to be a centre of reference that not only benefits local people but also international communities,” he said.

Thus far, UMT has produced 33,000 graduates. These alumni are now out there, making contributions everywhere, helping the nation to progress.

Happy 20^th Anniversary, UMT.

Published by:
Corporate Communication Office
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu