SYMBOLIC ARTIFACTS

The Mace The Mace of Universiti Teknologi MARA is in the form of a Malay keris (dagger) known as the Keris Agung and accompanied by a pair of long lances known as the Tombak Agung. Both items symbolise UiTM as an institution of higher learning for bumiputeras which is unique, strong and pure. The Keris Agung A sheathed Keris Agung symbolises the strength and the wholeness of the Malays. The motif on the Keris Agung is apt for the meaning and the aim of its creation. The motif represents the King, Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agung as the Chancellor of UiTM, and at the same time representing UiTM as a unique Bumiputera institution of higher learning. The natural and genuine characteristics of a Malay keris in the Keris Agung represent the philosophy behind the establishment of Universiti Teknologi MARA. These were adapted from the creation of a keris known as Keris Potong Barat. The motif on the hilt of Keris Agung is a yellow gourd flower, the hilt ring has a bamboo shoot motif and the sheath is covered with Bunga Tanjung (Mimusops Elengi). The yellow gourd flower represents the royal colour which signifies the Malay Sultanate. The bamboo shoot motif represents the educational process in moulding students into professional graduates. The Bunga Tanjung on the sheath represents the State of Selangor where the main UiTM campus is located. The authority in the meaning of the keris is exuded by the UiTM logo on a silver design at the top of the sheath. The middle part of the sheath is covered in silver inscribed with the UiTM motto Usaha Taqwa Mulia (Endeavour, Spirituality, Nobleness) in Arabic caligraphy. The Tombak Agung The Tombak Agung consists of a pair of long lances, one with a bamboo leaf-shaped blade, another with a five-curved blade which represent religion, knowledge and personality values as well as the sovereignty of the Malay society and the nation. The overall motif on the shaft of the spear is adapted from a design of a dome to symbolise UiTM as a font of knowledge, disseminating and receiving knowledge according to the law of knowledge towards creating the good and banishing the evil based on religious teachings particularly among the undergraduates, all for the religion, the race and the nation. The blade with five curves represents the five Pillars of Islam while the bamboo leaf-shaped blade symbolises the rich traditional Malay art. The decoration on the shaft starts with a traditional silver head-dress which symbolises the responsibility of the Malay kings towards matters pertaining Islam as well as the pinnacle of the Malay civilisation. Below the head-dress is a silver inscription of UiTM motto Usaha Taqwa Mulia and UiTM logo in Arabic calligraphy followed by a silver engraving of Bunga Tanjung. The logo and the motto represent UiTM as a premier institution of higher learning which has been established based on the aspiration to produce Bumiputera graduates who have mastered knowledge and technology.

UITM DEVELOPMENT

Historical Development Print Email Historical Development 1967 to 1999 Aug 26, 1999 Dewan Latihan RIDA (RIDA Training Centre) 1956 - 1965 RIDA (Rural & Industrial Development Authority) Training Centre was the inspiration of Dato' Onn Ja'afar, the founder and former president of United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). The idea was conceived as a result of a study visit to Ceylon in 1951 (now Sri Lanka) to look into its rural development programme in 1951. A resulting working paper outlined the establishment of RIDA (Rural and Industrial Development Authority) and its objectives of rebuilding the rural society, as well as improving rural the community's economy.There were two centres under the auspices of RIDA : Taman Asuhan RIDA (Kuala Lumpur) and Dewan Latehan RIDA (Petaling Jaya). Dewan Latehan RIDA began operations in November 1956 under its first principal, Tuan Syed Alwi bin Syed Sheikh Alhadi. It was officially opened by Dr Ismail bin Dato' Abdul Rahman, the Minister for Trade and Industry on 14 February 1957. Dewan Latehan RIDA conducted several external professional courses offered by established international bodies, such as the London Chamber of Commerce, the Australian Chartered Secretaryship, the Australian Society of Accountants and the British Institute of Management.In 1964, Dewan Latehan RIDA held its first convocation and 50 graduates were awarded certificates by Tun Abdul Razak, the then Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. MARA College 1965 - 1967 Dewan Latehan RIDA became known as Maktab MARA or MARA College, in June 1965.The name change also meant that the college no longer operated under RIDA, instead became the most important unit of the MARA Training Division.MARA, which stands for "Majlis Amanah Rakyat" or the Council of Trust for the Indigenous People took over and strengthened the role and responsibilities of RIDA. In 1966, when the British Institute of Management ceased conducting external examinations, MARA College began running its own Diploma in Business Studies. International recognition for the course came from Ealing Technical College of London, which also became its external examiner. This linkage with an internationally established institution proved to be the first of many future linkages, a tradition that started in 1956 with Dewan Latehan RIDA, and still continues until today in UiTM. MARA Institute Of Technology 1967 - 1999 MARA College was officially renamed Institut Teknologi MARA on 14 October 1967. Its establishment came as a response to a crucial need in the country for trained manpower at professional and semi-professional levels, especially among bumiputeras. This shortage was identified through a manpower survey conducted by the government in 1965 collaboration with the United Nations. ITM's rapid development during those years had come about with the expansion of its educational programmes, which were in line with the requirements of an increasingly demanding job market. Many courses were internationally affiliated and the institute offered advanced diploma courses, which were the equivalent to general degrees. ITM's development is best seen from three phases that spanned a period of 32 years. The first phase (1967-1976) came with the declaration of the institute as an autonomous body with its own 300-acre campus in Shah Alam, and was placed under the Ministry of Rural Development. The second phase (1976-1996) saw ITM rapidly harnessing its potential as an institution of higher learning. It led to the passing of the ITM Act of 1976 that placed the institute directly under the Ministry of Education. The third phase (1996-1999) came about as a result of an amendment to the 1976 Act which put ITM on par with all the universities in the country. For functional purposes, ITM was granted all the powers of a university. But its historical name was retained until August 26, 1999. The main areas of change are as follows: The governing body of ITM, the Council, was converted into the Board of Directors with a larger private sector representation than before; The Board of Directors was given the power to enact on behalf of the Institute; A Senate was created; Many principal officers of ITM were re-designated. The Director was renamed Rector, the Head of Campus became the Provost, while Principal and Senior Lecturers were re-designated as Professors and Associate Professors, repectively; Each School was redesignated as a Faculty; ITM was given the power to confer degrees up to Ph.D' level; ITM was given the unique power to establish courses and campuses abroad with permission from the Minister of Education; The Institute was conferred additional powers to enable it to conduct business, invest in shares, set up companies and engage in commercial research; Disciplinary powers over staff were transferred from the Minister to the Board of Directors; To improve staff accountability, the Institute was bestowed the power to impose a surcharge; and The procedural rights of students in disciplinary proceedings were strengthened. Universiti Teknologi MARA August 26, 1999 In August 1999, the then Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced the change in name of ITM to Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). With such acknowledgement from the government, a major restructuring exercise was carried out in order to consolidate the University's resources for optimum productivity. UiTM aspires to be world class in all its endeavours and forges ahead in a direction that is in tandem with the latest developments in the world. As UiTM moves forward, it remains focused on academic excellence, innovation, socio-economic goals, worldwide accreditation, globalisation and new technologies in order to contribute to industry and national development. Universiti Teknologi MARA Act 173 Act 173 was drafted in conjunction with the establishment of UiTM. It is deemed essential as the Act provides guidelines for maintenance and smooth administration as well as other pertaining matters. The Act also serves as an acknowledgement of the institution’s transition from an institute to a university, and the authority bestowed upon it to function like any other university. This includes the offering of courses of studies and the conferment of degrees at all levels

ABOUT UITM

UITM PROFILE UiTM is Malaysia's largest institution of higher learning in terms of size and population. It has experienced phenomenal growth since its inception in 1956 and it is still growing. Beside the main campus in Shah Alam, the university has expanded nationwide with 12 state campuses, 6 satellite campuses in Shah Alam, 11 state satellite campuses and 21 affiliated colleges. With this vast network and a workforce of 17,770, the university offers more than 500 academic programmes in a conducive and vibrant environment. It is also home to some 175,200 students. The University is committed to helping bumiputera students achieve the highest scholarly level and to prepare them for careers in public and professional practice in various fields. Its formation is based on a vision of outstanding scholarship and academic excellence that is capable of providing leadership in various arenas. Although still a fledgling compared to other more established universities in the country, UiTM has earned a reputation as being one of Malaysia's innovative and entrepreneurial universities, as it has formed linkages with numerous and diverse industrial sectors. Hence, its relationships with the industries have enriched its research and innovation as well as its entrepreneurial culture. Today, UiTM draws strength from the initiatives of its founding fathers, exploring and mastering various frontiers of knowledge as it works towards reaching greater heights and celebrating more accomplishments at home and abroad. The ultimate is to put UiTM on the world map. Motto “Endeavour, Religious, Dignified” Vision To establish UiTM as a premier university of outstanding scholarship and academic excellence capable of providing leadership to Bumiputeras’s dynamic involvement in all professional fields of world-class standards in order to produce globally competitive graduates of sound ethical standing. Mission To enhance the knowledge and expertise of Bumiputeras in all fields of study through professional programmes, research work and community service based on moral values and professional ethics. Philosophy Every individual has the ability to attain excellence through the transfer of knowledge and assimilation of moral values so as to become professional graduates capable of developing knowledge, self, society and nation. Objectives To provide maximum opportunities for bumiputeras to pursue professionally-recognised programmes of study in science, technology, industry, business, arts and humanities. To provide quality and innovative programmes of study relevant to current market needs and customer demands, and in line with policies of national development. To establish a human resource development programme as a tool for the assimilation of a value system within the university community. To ensure that UiTM graduates are adequately prepared to join the local as well as the global workforce. To establish UiTM as a centre of excellence that is accountable for the effective and efficient management of its human resources, finances and assets in order to achieve its educational objectives, while playing its role as a catalyst in community development.