National University of Malaysia (Malay: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) is a public university located in Bangi, Selangor which is about 35 km south of Kuala Lumpur. There is also a teaching hospital in Cheras and a branch campus in Kuala Lumpur. Today, it has 17,500 undergraduate students, and 5,105 postgraduate students of which 1368 are foreign students from 35 different countries. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia is recognised as one of the four research universities in Malaysia. It was ranked by The Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) at number 185 in its annual ranking of the world's top 200 universities for 2006. However, it has dropped out of the list of top 200 universities in the world in 2007. Vision UKM is committed to be a leading university that pioneers innovation in the construction of knowledge to achieve the aspiration of producing a society imbued with dynamic, learned and civic leadership. Mission UKM is the National University that safeguards the sovereignty of the Malay language while globalizing knowledge in the context of local culture. Philosophy A combination of faith in Allah and beneficial knowledge and of theory and practice as the basis for the advancement of knowledge, the education of society and the development of the University. UKM's History The idea of establishing a national university was first mooted as far back as the early 1920s. The initial proposition, made by Abd. Kadir Adabi, sought for the establishment of a university that could meet the educational needs of the Malays and the development of their language. Through the 30s, the idea grew, secretly cherished in the hearts of the Malays, especially during the time of colonial domination. It was actively pursued during the 40s and the 50s when the Federation of the Union of Malay Teachers of the Peninsula agitated for the placement of the Malay Language in the active life of the country, and enhance the status of Malay schools so that their students could further their studies at tertiary level. In the 60s, the demands were repeated and discussions were reopened. A group of Malay intellectuals gathered to discuss notion of a national university, not only in the context of Malay needs, but also that of a Malaysian nation. The notion was well received and in 1969, a Sponsoring Committee was set up to prepare and publish a report recommending the establishment of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The report formed the basis of the University. Many of its recommendations were adopted as guidelines in the official establishment of the University on May 18, 1970. Thus, the establishment of the University was indeed an historical event, erected on people's vision. The progress achieved since its formation has proved beyond doubt the success of Bahasa Malaysia (Malay language) as a medium of instruction at the university level.
