Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

Ranked

13, Malaysia

1201–1500^th in World University Rankings 2025

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About

Basic information and contact details for Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) began its story in 1993 with the enrolment of 118 students to become Malaysia's eighth and Sarawak’s first public university. We started with two faculties, the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Resource Science and Technology. Now UNIMAS has 10 faculties with 92 programmes, with more than 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Our international community comes from more than 50 different countries around the world.

UNIMAS is in an ideal position to make a difference. Our location in Sarawak, Borneo - the heart of the Malay Archipelago and a pivotal location for scientific explorations of species - enables our campus community to experience the island's rich tangible and intangible heritage. The Sarawak capital city, Kuching, is a bustling melting pot situated around 30 minutes away from the campus.

Our educational ecosystem of renowned subject matter experts, innovative research, and state-of-the-art facilities is ever ready to mould tomorrow's leaders. Our pledge to give back to the society is consistently strengthened through persistent development of impactful and beneficial community-inspired projects, establishing UNIMAS as a community-driven University. Our strategic engagements with international partners continuously contribute towards the fulfilment of globally shared goals.

Community-driven University (http://www.usc.unimas.my/)

Universities are not separate from the community they reside in. For UNIMAS, our community is an essential part in shaping our aspiration, identity, and research purposes.

Strategic Partners and Collaborations (https://www.unimas.my/collaborations)

UNIMAS hosts co-research and academic conferences with approximately 140 universities from more than 30 countries
UNIMAS actively promotes the exchange agreement renewal and finds new universities to collaborate with through periodic monitoring

International Student Recruitment (https://www.unimas.my/admission/international)

UNIMAS has 375 international students from all over the world (as of January 2021).
International students can enrol in various programmes, from foundation to graduate programmes.
International students are guided throughout their registration process – visa application, semester registration, etc.

Adjusting to Life in Sarawak, Malaysia

As the country’s second language, English is widely-spoken in Malaysia. In UNIMAS, programmes are also taught in English. International students have the opportunity to brush their English through courses that we offer at the University.

In addition, international students are highly encouraged to participate in the following:

Studying Local Languages and Dialects: We offer local language and local dialect courses as part of the University’s elective courses
Local and Cultural Events: Participation in local festivals as well as cultural visits and exchanges
Orientation: Orientation is conducted at the beginning of every new semester (September). To accommodate the current situation, orientation is presently performed fully online.

International Student Welfare (https://www.global.unimas.my/admission)

The International Student Management Unit is ever ready to cater to our international students’ welfare. This includes Visa, Accommodation, Facilities, Counselling, and Financial Assistance.

International Mobility Programmes (https://www.global.unimas.my/mobility-programme)

Short-term Programmes

Summer Programmes, EduTour Programmes, Webinars, Internship, Research Attachments, etc.

Student Exchange Programme (Long-term Programme)

Minimum – 1 semester; Maximum – 2 semesters.

Scholarships

UISA (UNIMAS International Scholarship Award):

The UNIMAS International Scholarship Award (UISA) is an initiative by the University to attract deserving international students who demonstrate excellence in academic and extra-curricular backgrounds from around the world to pursue their studies in UNIMAS.

Zamalah Graduate Scholarship: The UNIMAS Postgraduate Scholarship is a scholarship scheme created to encourage eligible graduate students to continue their studies at the Master’s (by research) and PhD level at UNIMAS.

International Student Encouragement Scheme (ISES): International Student Encouragement Scheme is a form of monetary benefit awarded to any active full time international students of UNIMAS ('introducer'), who succeed in bringing in new international students to study in UNIMAS.

Accommodation & Facilities (https://www.unimas.my/living-it-up)

Shuttle bus, residential colleges, sports complex with an Olympic-sized swimming pool, kayak recreational facilities, etc.

International Student Chapter: An international student body as a platform for discussion and international student event planning. The ISC gathers representative from every country.

Continuous Improvement (Barometer Survey): Obtains feedback from international students for improvement in decisions. Feedback includes students’ overall satisfaction, pre-arrival preparation, decision-making to study in UNIMAS, application, arrival, learning, living, housing, support services, and after studies plan. The survey is done annually.

Global Hub: Serves as a one-stop-centre to provide support services such as visa, students’ welfare, scholarships, and overall well-being during their studies in UNIMAS.

Our 2021-2025 Strategic Planning (https://www.fmhs.unimas.my/images/2020/Documents/Perancangan_Strategik_UNIMAS_2021_-_2025.pdf)

The Strategic Plan 2021-2025 is an ambitious articulation of our vision for UNIMAS to be a leading global university and to strengthen our position nationally, with strong foci on a sustainable future. The Strategic Plan is founded with the purpose of creating an environment in which highly talented people can thrive.

Our Research (https://www.unimas.my/research)

The knowledge discovery initiatives at UNIMAS are premised upon the wealth of natural resources and diverse socio-cultural make-up of the State of Sarawak. While UNIMAS is strong in biodiversity study, this and most of other research activities at this university are firmly based on contemporary technologies. Therefore, UNIMAS’ focus and strength are identified in the following establishment of these faculties, research centres and institutes:

12 Faculties/Centres/School