| National Defence University of Malaysia | |
|---|---|
| Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia | |
 Seal of the National Defence University of Malaysia |
|
| Motto | Kewajipan, Maruah, Integriti |
| Motto in English | Duty, Honour, Integrity |
| Established | 1995, 2006 |
| Type | Public |
| Vice-Chancellor | Lt. Gen. Dato' Pahlawan Zulkifli Zainal Abidin |
| Director | Brig. Gen. Dato' Amir |
| Commanding Officer of Military Training Academy | Lt. Col. Zakaria Borhan |
| Location | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Coordinates: 3°8′8″N 101°41′16″E / 3.13556°N 101.68778°E |
| Campus | Sungai Besi Camp |
| Former names | Akademi Tentera Malaysia (ATMA) |
| Colours | Dark blue Red, and Cyan |
| Affiliations | Malaysian Armed Forces |
| Website | http://www.upnm.edu.my/ |
Universiti Pertahanan Nasional (UPNM) or the National Defence University of Malaysia is a public university located in Sungei Besi Camp, Kuala Lumpur. The university is Malaysia's first catering to the needs and development of modern armed forces. As of year 2008, it has around 1,500 undergraduate students, with over 1,300 of them are Cadet Officers.
With its vision to be a premier institution in area of military training, education and defence research.
Contents |
History
UPNM was originally Akademi Tentera Malaysia (ATMA) or the Malaysian Armed Forces Academy which was established on June 1, 1995. It was an organisation solely responsible in upgrading the knowledge and academic status of the armed forces by offering bachelor degrees in fields of engineering, sciences and managements while not neglecting the basic requirements of military training.
The bachelor degree courses were accredited and awarded by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in the beginning. Lecturers—some from within the armed forces, some hired by the academy and the rest deputised by UTM—were fully committed to changing the face of the Malaysian armed forces.
In November 10, 2006, ATMA's responsibility was recognised and further given a boost when it was upgraded to university status creating the current UPNM. The establishment of the university was announced by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during the Budget 2007 reading in the Malaysian Parliament. The setting up of the university cost RM 500 million and was fully borne by the Government of Malaysia.
The university's first intake of students was for the 2007/2008 session with new changes by taking the first intake of civilian undergrads. Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia preparing the military and civilian leaders from Malaysia to better address national and international security challenges through multi-disciplinary educational programs, research, professional exchanges and outreach. Though the university was young, it has already chalked up over 11 years of experience in education and training since 1995 with over 1000 graduates in the fields of engineering, computer science and management. These graduates have also been successfully been inducted as full officers of the Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy Royal Malaysian Air Force, Government Sectors and Non Government Sectors.[1]
Location
UPNM's main campus is currently located at the Sungei Besi Camp in Kuala Lumpur. The campus which was originally completed in 2002 as part of ATMA has the latest education and training facilities as well as huge playing field and recreational area, which is in line with the need of a growing institution..[2]
Chancellor
The former Commandant of ATMA, Lt. General Datuk Ir. Ismail Samion was appointed as the first vice chancellor of UPNM. His appointment created history in the Malaysian higher education scene as the first military personnel appointed to be vice chancellor of a local university.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is also Defence Minister, said he was confident that Ismail's appointment was appropriate as he had a world of experience in the armed forces and education. Ismail was Commandant of ATMA for six years prior to the appointment.
The current Vice Chancellor is Lt Jen Dato Pahlawan Hj Zulkifli Hj Zainal Abidin who appointed to the post in 2008.
ATMA Commandants/UPNM Vice Chancellor
1. Lt Jen Dato' Ismail Hassan 1995 - 1996 2. Mej Jen Dato' Abd Ghani Yunus 1996 - 1997 3. Brig Jen Baharudin Abdul Kadir 1997 - 1997 4. Brig Jen Dato' Adenan Mohamad Zain 1998 - 5. Brig Jen Azizan Ariffin - 6. Lt Jen Datuk Ir. Ismail Samion (VC) 2002 - 2008 7. Lt Jen Dato Pahlawan Hj Zulkifli Hj Zainal Abidin (VC) 2008 - Present
ATMA/UPNM Commanding Officers (CO)
1. Lt Kol Badrulzaman Abd Rani 1995 - 1996 2. Lt Kol Azroie Ahmad 1996 - 1997 3. Lt Kol Mohammad Azudin Othman Fuad 1997 - 1998 4. Kol Mohd Shukri Ahmad 1998 - 2004 5. Lt Kol 2004 - 2005 6. Lt Kol Ahmad Sazali Sukardi 2005 - 2006 7. Lt Kol Zakaria borhan 2006 - 2009 8. Lt Kol Abdul Aziz Ismail 2009 -
Curriculum
Cadets are educated and graded on their performance in academics, physical fitness, and military leadership.
The academic program consists of a core of 11 courses balanced in the managements, sciences and engineerings. Cadets choose their courses in the end of their foundation year.
The physical program includes both physical education classes and competitive athletics. Every cadet participates in an intercollegiate, club or intramural (called Inter-Battalion Sports) level sport each year. As with all soldiers in the Armed Forces, cadets also must pass a physical fitness test (UKA) twice per year. Additionally, during each end year-session, cadets must undergo Single Service Training (LKPT)—which generally is regarded by cadets to be the "worst 6 weeks of the year."
Cadets learn basic military skills, including leadership, through a military program (LKU) that begins on their first day at the university. Most military training takes place during the end-semester holiday, with new cadets undergoing Cadet Basic Training (LFI) — or "Square bashing". Additionally, cadets are housed in barracks style floor-by-floor management at accommodation blocks and have leadership positions and responsibilities throughout the academic year.
Every mid-semester, the men and women train at campus camp itself; the campus fields for physical trainings, the 1RAMD obstacle course and shooting range for obstacle course exercise and shooting practice, and RMC's parade ground for drills. In this six-week part of LKU at the campus, the cadets are introduced to a basic firearms and training exercises. The battalions are in command of appointed rank holders and final year cadets. The super-seniors, are in officer positions such as Platoon leader and Company commanders. At the end of the six-week UKMHK session, awards are given out to the best company based on the best performance at each training site.
Moral-ethical development occurs throughout the formal programs as well as a host of activities and experiences available at the University. These include formal instruction in the important values of the military profession, religious programs, and interaction with staff and faculty role models. The foundation of the ethical code at the university is found in the institution's motto, "Duty, Honor, Integrity." Cadets also also required to adhere to the wide known Cadet Honor Code, which states simply, "A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do."
Programme
Academic Programme
Defence Engineering Faculty
- Civil engineering
- Electric & Electronic (Power) engineering
- Electric & Electronic (Communication) engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Mechanical - Automotive engineering
- Mechanical - Aeronautic engineering
- Mechanical - Marine technology engineering
Defence Sciences Faculty
- Computer science (Computer system and safety)
- Computer science (Artificial intelligence)
- Maritime technology
Faculty of Defense and Management Studies
- Defence human resource management
- Strategic studies
Military Programme
Besides pursuing an academic programme, undergraduates also undergo armed forces training. The first six weeks is the induction phase training period where the trainees are gradually introduced to the environment of the armed forces. Trainees will also undergo rotational armed forces postings for six weeks annually in the various camps such as the Royal Military Base at Ulu Tiram, Johor for army training, Royal Navy Base at Lumut, Perak for navy training and the Air Force College at Alor Setar, Kedah for air force training.
The trainees will undergo training emphasizing on a healthy mind and body as well as social ethics and regiment studies. They will also undergo basic weapons training as any other normal privates with undergo.
Civilian undergrads are obliged to register under Reserve Officer Training Unit (PALAPES). They will be given training allowance and certain privileges during military trainings. Civilian undergrads who successfully graduated to Bachelors degree level will be commissioned as a military officer in the reserve after completing Military trainings.
Rank
Unlike virtually all other bachelor-degree granting institutions in Malaysia (but like the other military academies in Malaysia), the Academy does not refer to its students as freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors; they are instead called by their year of intake eg. "2002", "2003", "2004", "20XX".
Colloquially, freshmen are "tahun asas (foundation year)"; sophomores, "tahun satu (year 1)"; juniors, "tahun dua (year 2)"; seniors, "tahun tiga (year 3)"; super-senior, "tahun empat (year 4)". Most cadets consider foundation year to be the most difficult because of the rules and restrictions developed to help students transition from civilian to cadet. However, the third and fourth year is generally considered to be the hardest academically.
Within the university, cadets whom reached year 3 can hold positions of increasing responsibility with a cadet rank:
- Kadet: Member of Squad.
- Kadet Korporal: Platoon vice leader - year 2 cadet.
- Kadet Sarjan: Platoon leader - year 3 and 4 cadets
- Kadet Platoon Commander: Platoon ranked leader.
- Kadet Ketua Kompeni: Company's officer-in-command
- Kadet CO: Battalion's cadet-commanding-officer
- Kadet Panglima briged: University's cadet-brigade-commander
Organization
The Cadets has the following organization:
- (The number of cadets is approximate and varies year to year)
- 1 Campus (1,500 cadets) which consists of:
- 4 Battalions (350 Cadets) which consist of:
- 4 Companies (75 cadets) which consist of:
- 3 Platoons (25 cadets)
Note that various positions are not included above.
Admission
Admission to the university can be done by applying through Education ministry's University Central Unit (UPU) where academic qualification will be evaluated. Candidates then had to undergo physical, mental and leadership screening at selected camp for a period of 1–3 weeks.[3]
Admissions requirements
To be admitted, candidates must be between 18 and 20 years old upon entrance, cannot be married, have no legal obligation to support a child, and be of good moral character. The current process includes a university application, standardized testing, and personal references. Candidates for admission also must undergo a physical aptitude test as well as a complete physical exam, including a separate visual acuity test to be eligible for appointment, although medical waivers are available. Usually, candidates with vision uncorrectable to 20/20, as well as a range of other injuries or illnesses, will be automatically considered for a medical waiver only if they are highly competitive.
Graduation
Graduates receive a Bachelor degree and are commissioned as captain in the Army or equivalent rank in the navy or air force with an obligation to serve 10 years active service in the military. Eligibility for particular specialties (infantry, artillery, armor, engineers, etc.) is typically determined by academic performance and personal preference. A cadet is a first class graduate if he or she has earned a 3.70 or above Accumulated Grade Pointer Average (CPA), second class if 3.0-3.69 or third class if 2.99 and below.
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Military of Malaysia |
- ^ UPNM: "UPNM; history UPNM - latarbelakang UPNM", June 2007
- ^ UPNM: "UPNM; location UPNM - lokasi UPNM", June 2007
- ^ MOHE: "UPNM; permohonan - permohonan IPT", Nov 2007
External links
See also
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