UPM Bintulu Sarawak Campus

File:Upm btu campus.jpg

UPM Bintulu CampusThe Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus (Malay language:Universiti Putra Malaysia Kampus Bintulu or UPMKB) is a branch campus of Universiti Putra Malaysia located in Bintulu, Sarawak. The campus was reopened in November 2001 based on the third objective of UPM's 2001-2010 planning strategy, which is to upgrade UPM's ability as an internationally acclaimed Centre of Study, Agricultural and Biosource Services. UPMKB is situated 13 kilometers from the town of Bintulu

, and is surrounded by a lush environment rich in flora and fauna, and this natural abundance is fully utilized to affirm UPM's mission to further explore the fields in agriculture and biosource. This campus covers an area of 715.16 hectares and will be able to accommodate up to 5000 students by the year 2010.

History

UPMKB is not a new name amongst the nation’s institutions of higher learning. In fact, it is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in Sarawak. The history of UPMKB can be traced back to August 10th 1974, when it was a temporary campus under the National Resources Training Centre in Semenggok, Kuching. The campus relocated to its permanent site in Bintulu, Sarawak in June, 1987. On 27th August, 1987, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia Sarawak was officially established as a branch campus through the under 3 centres of learning – Applied Sciences, Basic Sciences and Social Sciences and Management. Three Diploma-level programs were on offer; the Diploma in Agriculture, Diploma in Forestry and Diploma in Agribusiness programs, as well as an initiation program.

Closure and reopening

During the month of September, 1994, UPMKB was closed down and brought under the wing of the Malaysia Ministry of Education to be converted into a temporary site for a teacher’s training college. However, under a directive by the Cabinet, UPMKB was reopened on November 5th, 2001. The first batch of students for the November 2001/2002 semester numbered at 242 students who enrolled in the Diploma in Agriculture, Diploma in Forestry and Diploma in Engineering (Emergency and Safety) programs.

Course / Programs

In line with the steady development of the campus, the Diploma in Business Management program was introduced at the beginning of the May 2002/2003 semester. Three new programs were later introduced for the 2003/2004 session; these are the Diploma in Computer Science, Bachelor in Business Management and Bachelor in Bioindustry Science program. The Diploma in Fishery initiated its first semester during the November 2003/2004 session.

However, two programs were later transferred to the main UPM campus in Serdang at the beginning of the May 2004/2005 semester; these are the Diploma in Computer Science and Bachelor in Bioindustry Science programs. The latest two programs on offer in UPMKB are the Diploma in Food Farming Management and the Diploma in Animal Health and Livestock, which began classes beginning May 2005/2006. Currently, the total number of programs offered by the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences stands at 7 diploma-level programs and 1 bachelor-level program.

UPMKB Graduates

Approximately 600 students from this faculty have successfully completed their diploma-level program during the 2004/2005 session, with an additional 85 students from the 2005/2006 session. The first batch of UPMKB graduates received their diploma during the Convocation held in the months of July and September, 2005.

External links

• http://www.btu.upm.edu.my