Kuala Lumpur, 25 July 2025 – The University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) has recently celebrated their 25th Anniversary, marking a momentous milestone in its journey to shape the future of higher education in Malaysia and beyond. With the theme “Building a Legacy of Impact, Together,” the anniversary celebrations highlighted UNM’s outstanding legacy of academic and research excellence and honoured the people, stories, and experiences that have shaped the institution into the global academic leader it is today.
UNM’s 25th Anniversary celebrations featured a series of exciting events; from a well-curated exhibition to distinguished guest speakers and engaging performances that showcased UNM's contributions to Malaysia's higher education landscape. From its humble beginnings with just 89 students in 2000 to a thriving academic institution that now nurtures over 4,000 students from over 70 countries annually, UNM’s journey is one of continuous growth, innovation, and impact.
Group photo of Provost and CEO of UNM, Deputy Minister of MoHE, Chairman of Boustead Holdings Berhad, and Deputy High Commissioner, British High Commission at the celebration
Key Achievements and Impact
- UNM has produced over 18,000 alumni since 2000, with almost 100% of its 2024 graduates securing employment, further studies or participating in skills enhancement programmes.
- UNM alumni are consistently recruited by top 100 global brands including Ernst & Young (EY), Intel, IBM, Google, and Amazon.
- UNM’s total domestic economic impact from 2015 to 2024 is estimated at RM30.5 billion, driven by institutional spending, student expenditure, job creation, and the earnings premium of its graduates, who earn up to 2x more than other local graduates.
- In 2024, RM73 million in domestic economic impact was attributed to UNM’s research and knowledge exchange, with 70 new research grants secured, totalling RM16 million.
- RM87 million disbursed in scholarships from 2020–2025, supporting over 2,300 students and providing dedicated aid for refugees, the Penan community, and high-achieving students from low-income families.
"Over the past 25 years, I applaud the university's commitment to providing world-class education, fostering innovation and nurturing talent. UNM has had a significant impact on the lives of countless local and international students as well as the broader research community, and I commend its efforts to continuously to do so. As the Ministry is finalising the draft of the country’s Higher Education Blueprint 2025-2035 (PPTM 2025-2035), I foresee the role of the University in supporting the Plan and building a legacy of impact, together!” said Datuk Ts. Mustapha Sakmud, Deputy Minister of Higher Education as he officiated the event.
UNM’s 25 years of success have been built on a foundation of resilience, ambition, and a commitment to student-centred learning, research-led teaching, and a global perspective. As UNM reflects on the stories of the past, it looks forward to a future where those stories will continue to inspire the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and changemakers.
"Our 25th Anniversary reflects and celebrates the incredible impact we've made through research, education, and our graduates. Our journey is the result of the collective effort of every individual, every partnership, and every milestone we’ve achieved along the way. As we look to the future, we remain committed to expanding access to quality education, fostering innovation, and creating meaningful change in communities, to build a legacy of impact for the next 25 years and beyond," said Professor David FitzPatrick, Provost and CEO of University of Nottingham Malaysia.
As the first British university to establish a campus outside of the UK, UNM is a pioneer in transnational education, setting the benchmark for high-quality, internationally recognised education by bridging global standards with local relevance. Looking ahead, UNM will continue to play an active role in collaborating with industry partners and government stakeholders such as the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), to further establish Malaysia as an education hub.
Posted on 30th July 2025