University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus - History

History

The Malaysia campus was established in 2000 when the first batch of students were enrolled, students were then taught in a rented building. The idea for the university to open a foreign branch was suggested as early as 1992. It is the first purpose-built UK university campus in a foreign country. Formerly, the university was known as the University of Nottingham in Malaysia or UNiM. The campus' incumbent chairman is Ahmad Rithauddeen, an honorary Nottingham graduate and former Malaysian Defence Minister. It was officially opened by then Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, an alumnus himself, on 26 September 2005. The campus was made possible by a consortium of partners which includes the Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera or Armed Forces Superannuation Fund (LTAT) via its subsidiary Boustead Holdings Bhd, YTL Corporation Bhd and the University of Nottingham and the Alumni Association. Prior to the opening of the main campus in Semenyih, the university operated at the former Majestic Hotel building near Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and at Wisma MISC or MISC Tower. Following the opening of the Semenyih campus, most of the teaching departments were moved to Semenyih, only certain post graduate courses still remain in Kuala Lumpur. In 2007 the campus reopened a Kuala Lumpur branch in Chulan Tower on Jalan Conlay.