Kolej Poly-Tech MARA (KPTM), formerly known as Kolej Yayasan Pelajaran MARA (KYPM) was established as a private higher educational institution under the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996 (Act 555) in September 2003. Kolej Poly-Tech MARA Sdn. Bhd (KPTM) is an educational institution wholly owned by MARA Corporation Sdn Bhd (MARA Corp) that offers 45 study programs at the foundation, diploma, degree, post-graduate and professional study levels.
It all started in January 1983 with the establishment of the Learning Resource Centre in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. In June 1983, Maktab Sains MARA (also known as MARA Community College) in Kuantan, Pahang was formed. At that time, it offered a twinning program known as the American Associate Degree (AAD). The program was well accepted by more than 75 universities in the United States and New Zealand as a 2+2 transfer degree program.
This remarkable achievement later led to the establishment of KPTM Kuala Lumpur (1987), KPTM’s existing strength was built through its excellent track record by the merging of 2 MARA’s renowned institutions, Kolej Yayasan Pelajaran MARA (KYPM) and Akademi Infotech MARA (AIM).
KPTM also established local collaboration with public and private universities such as Universiti Teknologi MARA (1994), Universiti Putra Malaysia (1995), Universiti Malaya (1995), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (1996), Universiti Sains Malaysia (1996), Universiti Multimedia (1998), Universiti Utara Malaysia and also the Matriculation Centre, Ministry of Education Malaysia (1999).
KPTM has grown over the years to be among the biggest Bumiputera private educational institution in Malaysia with more than 18,000 full time students spread over seven campuses in Kuala Lumpur, Bangi, Kota Bharu, Kuantan, Batu Pahat, Ipoh dan Alor Setar. To date, KPTM has produced around 62,000 graduates since its formal inception in 2003.
Kolej Poly-Tech MARA Kuala Lumpur (KPTM KL) was upgraded into a university college by the Ministry of Higher Education on 15 October 2015 known as Kolej Universiti Poly-Tech MARA Kuala Lumpur (KUPTM). In 2023, Kolej Universiti Poly-Tech MARA achieved a significant milestone by being elevated to university status, now proudly known as Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia. This upgrade marks a new chapter in its journey towards academic excellence and future ambitions.
