• Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares)
  • umcares@um.edu.my
  • 03-79677357
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Organizational History & Evolution


2000s: Unit Latihan Industri Pelajar UM

Initiation of Industrial Training Portfolio, managing student practical placements.


~2004: Pusat Jalinan Masyarakat Universiti Malaya

Establishment of the Community Engagement Portfolio (later 'Centre for Community & Industry Relation').


~2008: UMCARES + UM Environmental Secretariat

Community Engagement efforts begin to incorporate a strong Environment Portfolio, forming the early basis of 'UMCARES'.


~2012: Industrial Training Consolidation (CITrA)

The Industrial Training efforts merge, eventually becoming the Centre for the Initiation of Talent & Industrial Training (CITrA).


~2014: Sustainability Science (SuSC)

Establishment of the Sustainability Science entity, focusing on long-term environmental research and goals.


~2015: The Community & Sustainability Centre – UMCares

The primary focus consolidates on Community and Environment portfolios in a transitional phase.


~2020: The Sustainability Stream: Establishment of UM SDC

The environmental and sustainability efforts were spun off into a distinct entity, the Universiti Malaya Sustainability & Development Centre (UM SDC), operating in parallel with the community engagement focus.


~2021: Final Consolidation: UNIVERSITI MALAYA COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CENTRE – UMCares

A final major merger and rebranding consolidated all portfolios (Engagement, Industrial Training, and Sustainability/UM SDC) into the unified UMCAres identity.

Current Leadership

COMMENCING JANUARY 2025

Associate. Prof. ChM Dr. Noraini Ahmad

Director (Term: 2025 - Present)

Dr. Noraini Ahmad leads UMCares, steering the university's commitment to strategic community engagement and impactful sustainability initiatives across Malaysia.

Past Directors

Associate Professor Dr. Zeeda Fatimah Mohamad

Director

JAN 2014 - NOV 2014

Dr. Serina Abdul Rahman

Director

DIS 2014 - FEB 2015

Professor Dr. Norzulaani Khalid

Director

MAC 2015 - DIS 2018

Professor Dr. Rofina Yasmin Othman

Acting Director

JAN 2019 - MAC 2019

Associate Professor Dr. Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin

Director

MAC 2019 - 2024

Last Update: 10/10/2025