University of Malaya
    (109 reviews)

    Company Profile

    Company overview

    Industry

    Education, Training & Professional Development

    Company size

    1,001-5,000

    Primary location

    University of Malaya, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    University of Malaya (UM) is the foremost and premier Research University (RU) in Malaysia. It is a multidisciplinary RU that has more than 27,000 students and 1700 academic staff with 17 faculties and research centres which covers the whole spectrum of learning from the Arts, Sciences and Humanities. The university's beginning at the Kuala Lumpur campus dates back to 1957 and thus far has a huge alumni of over 100,000, among them renowned and illustrious personalities and leaders in various fields.The University of Malaya, being a comprehensive, research-intensive university, confers degrees in a large variety of academic programmes at the Bachelor's, Master's and PhD levels. The university also offers joint PhD degrees with international partner universities such as the University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, University of Nottingham, Imperial College London, and the Consortium of Presidents of Universities (CPU) in France.The University of Malaya has been, and remains, at the forefront of landmark scientific and medical discoveries as is evidenced by the numerous awards that have been won both locally and internationally.

    Reviews overview

    4.3109 ratings in total
    5
    60
    4
    32
    3
    12
    2
    4
    1
    1
    87%
    Rate salary as high or average
    91%
    Employees recommend this employer to friends

    What’s it like working at University of Malaya?

    AI summary of recent reviews

    Employees appreciate the conducive working environment at University of Malaya, highlighting the helpful and collaborative colleagues, strong teamwork, and multi-cultural atmosphere. The university offers excellent research opportunities with access to grants, well-equipped laboratories, and exposure to prominent researchers and conferences. Staff value the work/life balance, reasonable working hours, and learning and development opportunities, including free training and the chance to develop diverse skills in an academic setting.

    However, there are some potential challenges, such as career progression being a slower process due to low staff turnover and evolving promotion criteria. Some employees note that resources, including laboratory equipment and financial support, can be limited, which may affect research timelines. Managing multiple responsibilities and meeting KPIs can be demanding, requiring strong time management skills. Additionally, administrative processes can be complex to navigate, and some staff feel that salary levels, particularly for interns and contract positions, could be enhanced. A few employees also mention the presence of internal politics within the organisation.

    Recent reviews

    5.0
    Data Scientist (Project Officer N9)
    May 2026
    Bangsar Kuala LumpurLess than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Experiences may vary on what department or faculty youre placed into
    The good things- Small, Fast Teams - Good Packages (25 day AL, Dental/Optical, Clinic Panel, 15 day MC) - Yearly Salary Increase
    The challenges- Need Hybrid Working Arrangement
    5.0
    Part-time Teaching (Laboratory Instructor)
    Oct 2025
    Kuala Lumpur Sentral Kuala Lumpur1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Overall, my experience is intellectually rewarding, significantly strengthened my skills.
    The good thingsUniversiti Malaya offers a highly conducive academic environment supported by well-structured, clean, and technologically advanced laboratories within the Faculty of Engineering. The university fosters a vibrant, multi-diverse culture where students and researchers from various backgrounds collaborate and exchange ideas freely. Moreover, the supportive and approachable academic community encourages innovation, critical thinking, and professional growth across all disciplines.
    The challengesAdapting to a highly research-oriented environment required strong self-discipline and continuous technical learning. Moreover, managing multiple research and teaching responsibilities also challenging but it will enhance time management and problem-solving abilities.
    1.0
    Research Assistant
    Dec 2024
    Petaling Selangor3 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    Good as experience but not sustainable.
    The good thingsIt is a good opportunity to learn on research and other academical aspects. It is also a very well balanced work life balance.
    The challengesChallenges to prove yourself and move the career forward.
    Ratings for University of Malaya are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines
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