History
The History
When Malaysia started focusing on the development of telecommunication, Telekom Malaysia (TM) established the first private higher learning institute. Located in Taiping, Perak, the Institute of Telecommunication and Information Technology (ITTM) opened in 1994 with 42 pioneer students enrolled in a two-year Diploma in Telecommunication Engineering. In 1996, ITTM was renamed Universiti Telekom (UNITELE) and was upgraded by the Ministry of Education (MOE) as the first private university in Malaysia. In 1997, the campus moved to Melaka and was set up in Bukit Beruang, using the former TM Southern Region office building. Universiti Telekom was later renamed Multimedia University (MMU) when TM was tasked with establishing a new campus in Cyberjaya to support the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) with skilled knowledge workers.
In July 1999, the Cyberjaya campus was officially launched by former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. The Cyberjaya campus and MSC relationship was intended to mirror Stanford University and Silicon Valley. The need for higher education institutions in the 1990s, together with the growth of the digital age, led to the establishment of MMU as an institution focused on IT and telecommunications. MMU was developed as a learning institution and a player in research and development.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) recognised TM’s role in supporting Malaysia’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) development. As the Government pursued efficiency through privatisation, TM was invited to establish a private university. As the first government-linked university, MMU selected students through competitive entry in its early diploma programmes and has since maintained strict admission standards. The University developed market-driven programmes and delivery systems to equip graduates with relevant knowledge and skills in technology and information management.
In 2022, MMU was integrated with TM R&D to align the objectives of both organisations. TM R&D, established in 2000, focuses on Intelligent Connectivity, Advanced Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and Digital Platforms, and works with industry to co-develop solutions.
The integration strengthened MMU’s research ecosystem through the alignment of research structures, processes, and resources. It improved coordination in end-to-end research activities in line with the aspiration of becoming a Research-led Industry-driven University (RIU). In 2024, this led to the establishment of seven Centres of Excellence (CoEs), bringing together more than 800 researchers from academia and industry. As of December 2025, MMU recorded its strongest research performance to date in publications, citations, and research grants. TM R&D has also generated more than 2,800 Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), with full adoption of its innovations since 2016.
As of today, MMU has produced over 80,000 graduates and is recognised as one of the established institutions in Malaysia’s higher education sector. It has been listed in the QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, and has obtained Premier Digital Tech Institution status as well as SETARA ratings.
MMU graduates work across Engineering, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Computer Science and Information Technology (IT), Creative Multimedia, Law, Strategic Communications and Management. Many have also become entrepreneurs and job creators.
To ensure continued relevance, MMU adopted a strategic approach known as “MMU PLUS U” under the leadership of Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Mazliham Mohd Su’ud. The initiative focused on providing a holistic experience for students and graduates, enabling them to contribute to the digital economy at national and regional levels and to develop capabilities aligned with MMU’s areas of expertise.
The MMU PLUS U (2021–2025) plan contributed to increased student intake, improved revenue streams, and productivity and customer experience. Building on this foundation, MMU has entered its next strategic phase, MORE MMU (2026–2030), advancing its focus on “Meaningful to Society, Orientation Towards Customer Satisfaction and Service Quality, Research-led, Industry-driven Entity, and Entrepreneurial-cultured and Sustainable Entity.”
Moving forward, MMU continues to develop its role within Malaysia’s higher education landscape through education, research and talent development aligned with national needs.