“To be a distinguished faculty” is the vision that fuels the Department of Economics & Administration here in Kuala Lumpur. Let me share its story with you.
The Department of Economics & Administration’s journey began in 1970. At that time, it was just a department within the Faculty of Arts at Lembah Pantai. This marked the start of economics as a formal discipline within the University.
By January 1974, the department’s rapid growth led to a significant upgrade. It became the Faculty of Economics and Management. This change reflected the increasing importance of both economics and management studies.
The demand for skilled professionals kept growing. This led to another split in May 1979. The Faculty of Economics and Management divided into two separate entities. These were the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Business Management. Each faculty then forged its own distinct path.
In 1996, UKM’s leadership decided to reorganize its academic structure. The plan was to merge faculties based on shared disciplines. By August 1997, the decision was made to group faculties by their academic focus.
The Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Business Management merged on April 1, 2004. This formed the Faculty of Economics and Business. It was a major step in consolidating related fields of study.
The current name, “Faculty of Economics and Management,” reflects its core disciplines. These include economics, business management, and accounting. It signifies the integration of knowledge and its underlying principles.
The Department of Economics & Administration is committed to excellence. It aims to integrate knowledge with ethical practices. It also focuses on high professionalism and staying current with developments.
The goal is to instill scholarship and promote excellence. This covers education, research, and the generation of knowledge. Graduates should be knowledgeable and competent. They should also be ethical and have a global perspective.
The Department also strives to produce graduates with professional credibility. It seeks to disseminate knowledge and expertise to the wider community. This outreach is part of its commitment to society.
This dedication ensures that the Department of Economics & Administration remains a vital institution. It plays a key role in shaping future leaders and contributing to national and universal well-being. Its history reflects a commitment to growth, adaptation, and excellence in education. The department embraces unity. It upholds the knowledge with its epistemological underpinnings.