- National Defence University of Malaysia
-
National Defence University of Malaysia Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia 
Seal of the National Defence University of MalaysiaMotto Kewajipan, Maruah, Integriti Motto in English Duty, Honour, Integrity Established 1995, 2006 Type Public Chancellor Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah (Supreme Ruler of Malaysia) Vice-Chancellor Lt Gen Dato' Wira Allatif bin Mohamed Noor Director Brig. Gen. Dato' Amir Hashim Commanding Officer of Military Training Academy Lt. Col. Kamal Idris bin Johari Location Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Coordinates: 3°8′8″N 101°41′16″E / 3.13556°N 101.68778°ECampus 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 military 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 Officer Cadets.
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.
On 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]
Campus
Location
UPNM's main campus is 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]
Academy grounds and facilities
- Bestari Building: Named after the Malay word for “intelligence”, it is the home of the academic faculties, lecture rooms, main lecture hall (Bestari Hall) and the old library. It has eleven floors. The middle floors (3rd, 4th and 5th floor) are home to the old Library and Department of Maritime Technology. The student bookstore is housed on the ground floor and Bestari Hall is at the south part of the building. Electric Engineering Department labs are in its east wing while Civil Engineering Department labs are in its west wing. Bestari Block was constructed in 2002.
- Pendekar Hall: Built in 2002 and formerly a sport-orientated multipurpose hall where the cadets were taught taekwondo and silat. In 2009 it was converted into a lecture/academic hall with capacity for 500 student desks. It is named after Malay word for “warrior”.
- Tun Templer Hall was named after a British military commander in Malaya, field marshal Sir Gerald Walter Robert Templer. It was built before the existence of ATMA/UPNM for the Royal Military College (Malaysia). The hall now serves multiple functions, especially semester final examinations, annual cadet graduation and annual commission ceremony, as one of the main halls for UPNM and RMC both.
- Officer Cadet Mess is the home of the Cadet Mess Hall and accommodates 1,500 cadets for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Built in 2002 and is exclusively for the university's officer cadets. Besides taking their meal, cadets can also do others activities such as reading newspapers or watching TV at the mess lounge. The mess also provides entertainment facilities for cadets such as karaoke lounge, snooker and pool, dart and fussball. It also has a mini bar.
- Chancellery: Formerly the Headquarter of Military Training Academy (ALK), it was renovated in 2009 and now houses the vice chancellor’s and university administration staff office.
- Old Library: Incorporated into the Bestari Building fourth and fifth floor. Acts as university center for ICT and electronic resources.
- New Library: New academic subcomplex due to be completed in 2010. Situated beside the university's swimming pool, the four-storey building will provide the students with better access to books and reference with more comfortable facilities.
Mosque
Building Image Constructed Description Reference Al-Jazaari Mosque 
2002 First constructed in 2002. It was doubled in size in 2009 when the Cadet Brigade expanded to 1,500 cadets. As the main Cadet Mosque it conducts religious services and dominates the center of the campus area. Cadet Quarters
1st apartment complex
- Satria Block: Named after the Malay traditional word for “knights” and built in 2002. As of 2009, it is home to cadets from the First Battalion (Tuah Battalion). Once home to intake 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007. It also houses the Military Training Academy (ALK) HQ and office of the commandant. As per now, the 11-storey block is the home of Lekiu Battalion, which is the battalion of the basic year cadets.
- Perwira Block: This block is the home for two battalions, which are Jebat Battalion and Kasturi Battalion. Both of these battalions share the block facilities. Kasturi cadets live in second to sixth floor, while Jebat cadets occupy seventh to eleventh floor. It was built in 2002 and is named after the Malay traditional word for “heroes”. Once home to intake 2003, 2004 and 2006. It also houses the university's cafeteria and some business premises such as stationery store, tailor and sports store.
- Srikandi Block: Home to female cadets, it was built in 2002 and is named after the traditional Malay word for “female hero”.
Echo Valley - Once a barrack-style residential block, it was rebuilt into a three five-storey buildings in 2009 to cater the increasing numbers of officer cadets. The blocks are A, B and C blocks. These blocks are situated in a valley as the name suggests.
- A Block: Home to cadets from the Lekir Battalion which now holding the title as Prime Battalion. The Echo Valley itself is nicknamed the Prime valley as it is home to the first ever Prime Battalion: Lekir Battalion. Lekir Battalion is named after Malacca Sultanate Era warrior “Hang Lekir”. The block was rebuilt in 2009.
- B Block: Also rebuilt in 2009. It houses some cadets from Lekir and Tuah battaloin.
- C block: Also rebuilt in 2009, C Block is home to cadets of the First Battalion (Tuah Battalion). Tuah Battalion is named after Malacca Sultanate Era warrior “Hang Tuah”.
2nd apartment complex
- C5 Block: Also built in 2004, but first accommodated in 2007, houses cadets from Zulu battalion, which are the final year cadets. The final year cadets are being given privileges to stay in this block where the houses are fully furnished and has 4 rooms and 3 bathrooms equipped with heater. Once home to intake 2007 and Lekir Battalion.
Residential colleges for civilian student
- Kolej Lumayan: Kolej lumayan situated outside the main campus. It is currently the residential college for ROTU (Reserve Officer Training Unit) or PALAPES undergrads.
- Kolej C4: Kolej C4 is new residential college for civilian student. Foundation and first year undergraduate student stay here.
UPNM main library completed in 2010. The campus pool facility is seen to the left of the picture, and lake facility in the background.Athletic facilities
UPNM is home to many modern athletic facilities because the university demands all of its students to participate actively in sports. Some of the facilities are :
- Swimming Pool Complex: Consists of Olympic-sized 50-meter pool, pool stand, volleyball court and physical fitness test (UKA) set circuit. Cadets regularly swim here and the inter-battalion swimming competition is also held here.
- Main field: Accommodates sports such as football, rugby, cricket, hockey, netball, taekwondo and military unarmed combat training.
Pavilion stand of UPNM lights up on certain occasion at night as it resides beside the main greens.- Tennis courts: Provides ground for tennis practice and events. It has four courts.
- Futsal/handball courts: Provides ground for futsal and handball practice and events.
- Squash court
- Gym
- Football stand: completed in 2009. also known as the Pavilion.
- Boat house: Accommodates water sport such as canoes, kayaking and boat riding. The lake is the site for cadet military training such as lake crossing. Completed in 2009.
UPNM boat house resides by the lakeChancellor
The former Commandant of ATMA, Lt. General Dato' Wira 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' Wira Allatif bin Mohamed Noor who appointed to the post in 2010.
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 Dato' Wira Ir. Ismail Samion (VC) 2002 - 2008 7. Lt Jen Dato Pahlawan Hj Zulkifli Hj Zainal Abidin (VC) 2008 - 2010 8. Lt Jen Dato' Wira Allatif bin Mohamed Noor (VC) 2010–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 - 2010 9. Lt Kol Kamal Idris Johari 2010–Present
Lt Jen Dato' Ismail Hassan inspecting the paradeCurriculum
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 young 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 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 (Security system)
- 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, students also undergo rigorous military training. All military training is organised by the ALK. When a new cadet reports here, he or she will first undergo a six-weeks induction training or well known as Latihan Tunas Wira. The day a new cadet reports to this institutions is called Tunas Wira Day, which is adopted from the R-Day from the West Point. On this very first day, upon registration at Tun Templer Hall they will be thoroughly examined by the instructors and seniors to check if they are bringing along forbidden items. After that, their hair will be cut short by the barbers and the seniors will lead them to Quartermaster to take their military clothes and items. They will be showed their rooms and soon after that they will change to military uniforms for camp orientation and drill training. All of these on the very first day of reporting. This Tunas Wira training is specially programmed to change their mentality from a civilian into a military personnel. Their status as an officer cadet will not be confirmed until they finish this training, and this explains why they are called Bakal Pegawai Kadet (soon-to-be cadet) throughout this period. During this period, the new cadets will be taught the basic military training such as drill, weapons and physical training. They will also be taught other military ethics such as teamwork, perseverance and endurance. The seniors will also teach them the mess ettiquites. New cadet who passed this training will be confirmed as an officer cadet and a ceremony will be held at the field. They will perform a show, usually a platoon battle drill in front of the VIPs, officers, seniors and parents who are specially invited to the event. After the show, the VC will awarded each of them the UPNM berets, symbolically marks their official status as UPNM's officer cadets.
The cadets will undergo further training as they rise through the ranks at the university. For the army and air force cadets, they will learn basic jungle training at Camp Kongkoi, the university's training camp situated in Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan. They will learn basic jungle base-up, survival, compass marching and river-crossing training. They will also be taught more types of weapons such as Minimi and GPMG. The cadets will also have their obstacle, march and shooting practices periodically. Military training is conducted between May to July and November to December, when the academic programmes is on the break. But cadets will still perform training throughout academic period, which is on Saturdays. Unarmed combat training is held on Friday evenings.
Meanwhile, the Naval cadets will be attached to KD Sultan Idris I, a naval-officers training establishment in Lumut Base located in Perak to undergo their naval training. They will learn naval routines and culture, seamanship, on-job training and naval warfare lessons at the base. For the seaman cadets, they will attached to particular Royal Malaysian Navy's warships for six month for their practical training.
For final year cadets, they will undergo more challenging and advanced training. The Zulu, which they are recognized, will undergo a seven-month long Final Year Training (FYT) which consists of several trainings. They will undergo a Self-confidence training which includes activities such as confidence training at Commando camp, 10 meter dive, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) training and mountain-hiking. They will continue with Counter-Insurgency Warfare (CIW) and Conventional Warfare (CW) field exercises which are held on real grounds, usually in the area of Negeri Sembilan and Pahang. FYT is regarded as the most rigorous training for the cadets because it demands high level of endurance and physical fitness. A cadet must complete this training in order to be commissioned as officers in the Malaysian Armed Forces.
Civilian students are obliged to register under Reserve Officer Training Unit (ROTU), which means they will serve the military as a reserves. Their participation in the ROTU is compulsory. They will be given training allowance and certain privileges during military trainings. The ALK is responsible for their training programme too. Civilian students who are successfully graduated to Bachelor's degree level will be commissioned as a military officer with the ranks of Second Lieutenant in the reserve after completing military trainings.
Pre-dinner fall-in front of cadet officer's Mess. The academic building can be seen in the background leftRank
Unlike virtually all other bachelor-degree granting institutions in Malaysia (but like the other military academies in Malaysia), the university does not refer to its students as freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors; they are instead called by their year of intake e.g. "2002", "2003", "2004", "20XX".
Colloquially, the freshmen are "tahun asas (basic 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 basic 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 years are generally considered to be the hardest academically.
Within the university, cadets who reached year three or four can hold positions of increasing responsibility with a cadet rank:
- Cadet: Member of platoon - year 1 cadet.
- Cadet Corporal: - year 2 cadet.
- Cadet Sergeant: year 3/year 4 cadet.
- Cadet Platoon Commander: Leader of a platoon - year 3/year 4 cadet.
- Cadet CSM: Cadet Company Sergeant Major - year 3/year 4 cadet.
- Cadet CQMS: Cadet Company Quarter Master Sergeant - year 3/year 4 cadet.
- Cadet OC: Cadet Officer Commanding. Leading a company - year 3/year 4 cadet.
- Cadet QM: Cadet Quarter Master. Responsible for QM jobs - year 3/year 4 cadet.
- Cadet RSM: Cadet Regiment Sergeant Major of a battalion - year 3/year 4 cadet.
- Cadet Adjutant: Playing role as the Adjutant for a battalion - year 3/year 4 cadet.
- Cadet 2IC: Cadet who is the second in charge of a battalion - year 3/year 4 cadet.
- Cadet CO: Cadet Commanding Officer of a battalion - year 4 cadet.
- Cadet Vice Brigade Commander: University's vice cadet-Brigade Commander - year 3 cadet.
- Cadet Brigade Commander: University's cadet-brigade Commander - year 4 cadet.
Organization
Cadet officers on exerciseThe cadets has the following organization:
- (The number of cadets is approximate and varies year to year)
- 1 brigade (1,500 cadets) which consists of:
- 6 battalions (350 Cadets) which consist of:
- 4 companies (75 cadets) which consist of:
- 3 platoons (25 cadets)
There are 6 battalions in the Cadet Brigade which are:
- Tuah battalion
- Jebat battalion
- Kasturi battalion
- Lekir battalion
- Lekiu battalion
- Zulu battalion
All of the battalion was named after five Malay folks heroes except Zulu battalion. Each battalion has their own identity such as insignia, emblem, motto, song and war dance. Every cadet holds their battalion's pride in high spirit which obviously can be seen during inter-battalion sports or military competition. Lekiu battalion is the battalion for basic year cadets, who are living with their own intake for a year before reporting to any one of the Tuah, Jebat, Kasturi or Lekir battalion as a first year cadets. Zulu Battalion is the battalion for final year cadets prior to their commissioning. A cadet will leave their respective battalion to join Zulu after a batch of previous Zulu have been commissioned, usually on January.
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 tests at selected camp for a period of 1–3 weeks which is conducted by Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).[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.[4]
References
- ^ UPNM: "UPNM; history UPNM - latarbelakang UPNM", June 2007
- ^ UPNM: "UPNM; location UPNM - lokasi UPNM", June 2007
- ^ MOHE: "UPNM; permohonan - permohonan IPT", Nov 2007
- ^ New Straits Times: "UPNM inaugural convocation; UPNM all set to celebrate first convocation", 8 October 2010
External links
See also
Categories:- Universities in Kuala Lumpur
- Public universities in Malaysia
- Educational institutions established in 1995
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