National Defence University of Malaysia

The National Defence University of Malaysia (NDUM), also known as Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), is a public military university situated in Sungai Besi Camp, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia [1]. It stands as Malaysia's first institution dedicated to serving the educational and developmental needs of the Malaysian Armed Forces [1].

Established with the motto \"Duty, Honour, Integrity,\" UPNM provides a unique educational experience that integrates rigorous military training with academic programs in various fields [1]. The university aims to cultivate well-rounded military and civilian leaders capable of addressing national and international security challenges.

UPNM is officially recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia and offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees [1]. The university is coeducational and provides a comprehensive learning environment for its students.

The National Defence University of Malaysia began its journey on March 8, 1995, as the Malaysian Armed Forces Academy (Akademi Tentera Malaysia or ATMA) [1]. It started operations on June 1, 1995, offering bachelor's degrees in engineering, sciences, and management, alongside military training [1].

Initially, the bachelor's degree courses were accredited and awarded by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia [1]. The academy's lecturers comprised both armed forces personnel and those deputized by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia [1].

ATMA was officially upgraded to university status and adopted its current name, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), on November 10, 2006 [1]. This transformation was announced by then-Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during the Budget 2007 reading in the Malaysian Parliament, with the Malaysian government fully bearing the RM 500 million cost of establishment [1].

The National Defence University of Malaysia offers a diverse range of academic programs through its key faculties, integrating military training with higher education [3]. These faculties are designed to meet the specialized needs of the Malaysian Armed Forces and the broader defense sector.

Prominent faculties include the Faculty of Defense Studies and Management, which offers programs in security, defense, and defense management [3]. The Faculty of Engineering provides a wide array of engineering disciplines such as Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Electronics, Aeronautical, and Maritime Technology [3].

Additionally, UPNM houses the Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, offering degrees like Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelor of Nursing [3]. The Faculty of Science and Technology covers crucial areas like Computer Science, Strategic Studies, Chemistry, and Environmental Science [3].