The UiTM logo symbolizes the pursuit of knowledge and intellectual development. The emblem transports the viewer to the past, pointing to the wisdom accumulated over centuries and recorded in ancient manuscripts and books. This symbol emphasizes that students gain access to years of research and scientific information, helping them become educated and skilled professionals. The logo expresses a deep connection to tradition and highlights the importance of academic heritage.
UiTM: Brand overview
Established in 1956 as the RIDA (Rural and Industrial Development Authority) Training Center, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) has a long history. The primary goal of this center was to prepare rural Malays for involvement in the commercial and industrial sectors of the economy, which were then dominated by non-Malays and foreigners.
The center increased its educational offerings and changed its name to MARA College in 1965. This modification demonstrated the institution’s expanding contribution to Malaysia’s human capital development. The college started offering various business, management, and technical disciplines.
Renaming MARA College as Institut Teknologi MARA (ITM) in 1967 marked a pivotal moment in the institution’s evolution. In tandem with this shift, the number of students enrolled and the scope of educational programs significantly expanded. ITM began providing certificate and degree programs in several subjects, such as applied sciences, business administration, and engineering.
The institution carried on with its expansion in the 1970s, setting up branches in several Malaysian states. This increased the accessibility of higher education for Malays residing in various parts of the nation. In 1973, Sabah saw the opening of the first branch, followed by locations in Sarawak, Perlis, and other states.
The college continued to expand and flourish during the 1980s. The institute’s academic standing was greatly raised when master’s programs were introduced. New technology and engineering programs were launched during this time to accommodate Malaysia’s expanding industrialization needs.
The institute’s history was significantly altered in 1996 when it was granted university status. This modification acknowledged the institute’s excellent educational program and important contribution to the nation’s growth. However, the name Institut Teknologi MARA was kept because of its recognition and historical significance.
Obtaining the authority to award degrees in 1999 was an essential first step toward confirming the institution’s standing as an official university. As a result, the institute created and provided a wider variety of academic programs.
The official renaming of Institut Teknologi MARA as Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in 2000 marked a significant transition. This modification represented the institution’s evolution from an institute to a fully-fledged university. The university continued growing its research endeavors and educational offerings, including doctorate degrees.
The university grew throughout the 2000s, adding new faculties and expanding its curriculum. The institution expanded its global outreach by forming alliances with other academic institutions and drawing in international students.
As the university commemorated its 54th anniversary in 2010, it reaffirmed its standing as one of Malaysia’s biggest universities. At this point, the institution offered a wide range of studies in numerous disciplines and had 13 branches nationwide.
The university introduced its UiTM 2025 strategic plan in 2015 to enhance the quality of research and education and bolster its global footprint.
The institution commemorated its 60th anniversary in 2016. Activities showcased its role in advancing education in Malaysia.
The university stepped up its research efforts in 2017, which increased patents and scientific publications. Additionally, the institution increased its industrial collaboration by partnering on applied research and development projects.
In 2018, the university introduced several new programs catering to the demands of Industry 4.0 (the Fourth Industrial Revolution). These included courses on the Internet of Things, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence.
In 2019, the institution increased its worldwide collaboration. Agreements were inked with various foreign universities for collaborative research projects and student exchanges.
Despite obstacles worldwide, the university smoothly transitioned to online learning in 2020 by introducing new digital platforms and resources for remote learning. This made it possible for the institution to continue instruction without serious setbacks.
2021 saw the infrastructure at the university continue to grow. A brand-new research facility with cutting-edge equipment for advanced scientific study opened.
In 2022, the institution improved its student entrepreneurial development program. A business incubator was established to assist students in starting creative ventures and businesses.
The university’s achievements were recognized internationally in 2023, making the year noteworthy. The institution’s research and education quality was validated by its increased rankings in multiple international higher education rankings.
The university has remained committed to promoting the socioeconomic advancement of Malaysia’s Bumiputera population, which comprises Malays and other indigenous peoples, by offering high-quality education. The institution still significantly impacts the development of Malaysia’s human capital by training professionals and leaders in various societal and economic fields.
Meaning and History
What is UiTM?
It is the largest public university in Malaysia. It offers social sciences, humanities, engineering, and natural sciences academic programs. The university is known for its commitment to providing bumiputra students with a first-class education, helping the country achieve its goal of increasing access to higher education for this group. The university’s main campus is in Shah Alam, Selangor, with several campuses throughout Malaysia. The university is known for its emphasis on industry-focused education and practical skills and often collaborates with businesses and organizations to enhance students’ employability. With a large student population and a wide alumni network, it plays an important role in Malaysia’s socio-economic development and shaping the workforce.
1956 – 1965
The university’s first emblem is green, symbolizing growth and development. This shade reflects the institution’s goals organized by the Rural and Industrial Development Authority and emphasizes educating and preparing the workforce for the future.
The logo’s circular shape resembles a wheel, hinting at its connection to agriculture, while the inner figure, resembling a gear, points to the industrial sector. Along the border of the emblem are images of spruces, symbolizing resilience and nature.
On a green background, the emblem’s center is a lamp with a burning flame — a symbol of science and knowledge. This element highlights the university’s role in spreading knowledge and education. The logo visually narrates how education has helped people acquire the skills to cultivate plants and create machinery.
The inscription “Dewan Latehan RIDA” translates from Malay as “training center,” emphasizing the institution’s primary mission of preparing personnel for the restoration and development of rural communities.
1965 – 1999
With the institution’s change in direction and jurisdiction, its program, name, and logo underwent alterations. The center became a college and came under the jurisdiction of the Council of Trust for the Indigenous People of MARA.
The new emblem features a shield symbolizing the protection of truth and the rights of the indigenous people. Open books are at the top of the shield, representing the pursuit of knowledge and education.
At the bottom of the shield, inside a gear resembling the sun, are scales—symbols of law and justice. The logo’s thin black border emphasizes the integrity of beliefs and the steadfastness of the college’s mission in educating and nurturing the country’s people.
At the shield’s base is a heraldic ribbon shaped like a flower, with the slogan “Usaha Jaya Mara” inscribed on its petals. This indicates the drive for success and prosperity.
The primary colors of the logo — green and yellow — were chosen deliberately, as they match the shades of the flags of the King and Queen of Malaysia, highlighting the national identity and significance of the institution.
In 1967, the institution gained the status of an institute; however, the logo design remained unchanged, preserving all its symbolic elements and traditions.
1999 – today
With the educational institution’s change in direction and jurisdiction and in honor of attaining university status, the UiTM emblem was completely transformed while preserving its national identity. At the top of the emblem is the university’s name in Jawi, a modified Arabic script used by Malays.
The shield’s shape remains, but its contours are softer, without a sharp point at the bottom, symbolizing the ability of knowledge to resolve conflicts. The dark blue and purple background emphasizes wisdom, education, and intellect. In the center of the shield is a stack of ancient manuscript pages neatly piled on each other, representing books and the learning process.
Feathers and swords are intertwined at the bottom of the emblem, embodying the idea that knowledge is a more powerful weapon and that those who possess information become victors. At the point where they cross, a diamond, one-half purple and the other orange, symbolizes the combination of theory and practice.
To the right of the central image, in thin and elegant letters beneath the Arabic script, is the university’s name in English, emphasizing its international significance and openness to the world.
UiTM FC
What is UiTM FC?
The football team based in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, is associated with Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), one of the country’s prominent public universities. The team competes in the Malaysian Premier League and the Malaysia Super League under the Malaysian Football League. The club’s main objective is to develop young talent, focusing primarily on UiTM students, though it also includes non-student players to strengthen the squad.
2008 – 2023
UiTM Football Club, founded in 2008, takes pride in its unique logo, shaped like a shield. The emblem symbolizes the team’s affiliation with the university and commitment to defending its honor in sports competitions.
The shield shape represents a strong defense of the goal, highlighting the team’s defensive capabilities. This theme is reinforced by two rampant lions depicted back to back, ready for any challenge. The lions symbolize fighting spirit and invincibility, conveying the players’ readiness to protect their territory as fiercely as lions defend theirs.
On the purple background of the shield, in harmony with the university’s logo, are three yellow lines crossing the emblem at an angle. These lines resemble the trajectory of a ball in flight, bouncing and changing direction as if deflected by a strike.
Above the lions are three soccer balls, which hold special symbolic meaning for the club. The number 3 became significant from the team’s founding: UiTM began its journey in the third-tier league, placed third in the Malaysian Football League, and won their first match with a score of 3-0. Despite subsequent changes and achievements, the symbolism of the number 3 remains in the logo as a tribute to the club’s origins and successes.
2023 – today
In 2023, UiTM FC was renamed UiTM United, marking a new chapter in the team’s history. This change was accompanied by creating a new logo that reflected the club’s new name and symbolized its ambitions and aspirations.
The logo is shaped like a shield, symbolizing protection and resilience—qualities the team strives to embody on the field. At the center of the emblem is a lion in a combination of yellow and purple. The lion represents strength, courage, and leadership. The yellow color on the emblem is associated with energy and positivity, while the purple signifies royal power and dignity, indicating the club’s high goals and standards.
The lion is shown in motion, symbolizing the team’s dynamism and growth. A soccer ball integrated into the lion’s image reflects the club’s primary focus and passion for football. Diagonal white stripes in the shield’s background symbolize speed and the drive for victory.
The font used for the “UiTM United” inscription is bold and modern, emphasizing the club’s professionalism and determination. The shield’s blue background adds a sense of reliability and confidence, while the white stripes create visual contrast, making the emblem more memorable.