Info: New Student Reporting to UPM

Info: New Student Reporting to UPM

Welcome to UPM! This information is compiled from various online sources. Although it was carefully reviewed to keep it as much as latest update, there might be some discrepancies due to outdated info from time to time. Keep it solely for your reference only. 

Essentials Starter Pack

1) Hygiene & Toiletries

• Towels
• Toilet paper
• Toothbrush, Toothpaste
• Shower gel, Soap, Shampoo
• Face wash
• Hair gel
• Comb
• Razor
• Sanitary napkins
• Nail clippers
• Hooks (for hanging towels, clothes, baskets/bags in the shower)
• Baskets/Bags (for clothes/bath supplies)

2) Daily Necessities

• Folding umbrella
• Slippers (for bathroom/room)
• Laundry detergent
• Bucket, brush (for washing clothes)
• Hangers
• Pillows, bedsheets, blankets
• Broom, dustpan, mop, rags
• Trash can, trash bags
• Deodorant
• Dishwashing liquid, dish sponge
• Simple tableware, cups, kettle
• Dry food, instant noodles, packaged drinks
• Extension cord / plug
• Mosquito repellent/mosquito coils
• Padlock (for locking wardrobes/valuables)
• Needle and thread
• Personal medications

3) Stationary Supplies

• Stationary supplies
• Laptop
• Computer charger
• Mobile phone charger
• Headphones
• USB Pendrive
• Powerbank 
• Laptop Computer

4) Admission Documents

• Admission Offer Letter
• Identity Card (Original and Copy)
• Tuition Fee Payment Receipt (Original)
• Passport Size Blue Background Photo (Bring Several)
• Scholarship/Loan Application Documents (e.g., PTPTN) and backup copies
• SPM & STPM Results (Original and Copy)
• University enrolment related documentation *

* Note: Print out a copy of completed electronic document

Attire

1) Orientation Week Attire: Formal Wear

• Male: 
• Shirt and trousers, UPM tie, and black leather shoes.
• Female: 
• Office-style attire (shirt and trousers / skirt—skirt length must be below the knee) or Traditional Malay attire (Baju Kurung / Baju Kebaya) and black covered shoes.
• Throughout Orientation Week, new students are required to attend events in the Main Hall wearing formal attire; it is recommended to prepare at least two sets for rotation.
• For the orientation oath-taking ceremony, students must wear a white long-sleeved shirt; please ensure you have at least one.
• Formal attire will also be useful for classroom presentations.

2) Class Attire: Collared T-shirt and long trousers / Smart Casual

• It is recommended not to bring too many, as you will acquire dormitory shirts, club/society shirts, event shirts, etc., after entering university.
• Jeans may be worn depending on the specific dormitory's regulations and the preferences of individual lecturers.
• Footwear for class can be sneakers or any closed-toe shoes.
• For most science-based courses, students must wear the UPM lab coat and closed-toe shoes to enter the laboratory for practical sessions.

3) Extracurricular Activities: Sportswear

• Standard T-shirts and track pants.
• Required for certain dormitory and on-campus events during Orientation Week.
• Attire for extracurricular activities depends on the specific activity involved.

4) Dormitory/Other: Casual Wear

• When taking the campus shuttle bus or visiting the campus cafeteria/food court/cafe (whether dining in or takeaway), it is best to wear a T-shirt (collared or non-collared) and long trousers.
• Within the dormitory building or inside your room, you may dress casually, provided the attire is not inappropriate or too extreme.
• Policies regarding wearing shorts and slippers outside the dormitory premises vary depending on the specific dormitory's regulations.
• Sleepwear and shorts are acceptable for wear inside your room.
• Feel free to bring one or two outfits for outing / shopping; you can dress up on your best when heading out during weekends or days without classes!

Foods 

1) During Orientation Week:

• Most cafeterias and cafés are closed; however, the residential colleges provide three meals a day, as well as afternoon tea and late-night snacks.

2) After Orientation Week:

• You can dine in or takeaway at the residential college cafeterias, food courts, or cafés.
• Food options on campus include fried rice / noodles / kway teow / bee hoon, chicken rice, burgers, roti canai, waffles, "economy rice" (mixed rice), and more.
• Putra Food Court is located opposite the University Health Centre (PKU). You can get there by taking the K13/KPZ or Agrobio bus routes. Students from KTDI, KC, KOSASS, and KPZ frequently dine at this location.
• Students residing in K12, K13, and K14 can dine at Serumpun Cafe.
• The Royell is located near Bangunan Canselori Putra and behind CIMB Bank.
• There is a food court at the Faculty of Economics and Management (Fakulti Ekonomi dan Pengurusan) offering dishes such as roti canai, nasi lemak, cendol, economy rice, and Arabic cuisine.
• Opposite the Academy E Complex (KAE)—where Asasi (Foundation) students attend classes —there is a small stall selling kebabs, sandwiches, pasta, and fried chicken.
• At the Faculty of Food Science and Technology (Food 1), there is a small L'apprenti Cafe selling items such as bread, sandwiches, cakes, pies, fruit, coffee, nasi lemak, fried bee hoon, and pasta.
  
• Opposite the Faculty of Environmental Studies (Fakulti Pengajian Alam Sekitar), there is a small, air-conditioned eatery called Dapur Rakyat (Food 5). They serve local dishes like fried rice and fried noodles, making it a great spot for students to grab lunch.
• Additionally, just outside the UPM campus lies a flat complex known as "Old Flat" (or "Flat Ikan"). It features various amenities, including photocopy shops, stationery stores, grocery shops, mamak stalls, Chinese economy rice stalls, and noodle stalls. Students can simply take any bus route to the "Faculty of Food Science and Technology & Faculty of Environmental Studies" stop; a short two-minute walk from there will bring you to the small gate connecting the campus to Old Flat.
• Beyond Old Flat lies Sri Serdang, an area home to McDonald's, KFC, Texas Chicken, Secret Recipe, grocery stores, gift shops, bakeries, snack shops, Chinese food courts, and more. Taking a Grab ride is recommended, as walking takes about 20 minutes; if you do decide to walk, it is best to have a senior guide you the first time!
• If you prefer not to leave your dormitory, you can also order Chinese food delivery (ask a senior for the contact numbers of delivery services). Food is delivered directly to the dormitory, with prices approximately around RM10.00 per meal (price might varies from time to time).

Zone A (Putra Food Court)

Zone B (Serumpun Food Court)

Zone C (Engineering Hostel)

Zone D (Medical and Health Sciences Hostel)

Note:

• Students are advised to bring some dried food (such as biscuits, cup noodles, or packaged drinks) to serve as breakfast or a quick snack when needed.
• Coin-operated water dispensers are available within the dormitory area. Additionally, hot and cold water dispensers are provided in certain dormitories, faculty buildings, and the library, where students can fill their water containers for free.

Accommodation

UPM Serdang originally had a total of 17 residential colleges; however, to reduce costs, several colleges were merged in 2019. The nine colleges currently in operation are:

• Kolej Tun Dr Ismail (KTDI) 
• Merged from KTDI & K5 
• Kolej Canselor (KC) 
• Merged from KC & K6
• Kolej Sultan Alaeddin Sulaiman Shah (KOSASS)
• Merged from K2 & KOSASS
• Kolej Pendeta Zaba (KPZ)
• Merged from KTP & KPZ
• Kolej Sepuluh (K10)
• Merged from K10 & K11
• Kolej Dua Belas (K12)
• Merged from K12 & K15
• Kolej Tiga Belas (K13)
• Merged from KMR & K13
• Kolej Empat Belas (K14)
• Merged from K14 & K16
• Kolej Tujuh Belas (K17) 
• No changes made
• KMR One Putra (for international students)

More info on dormitory's room:

• Room options include single, double, and quadruple occupancy. Most dormitories feature twin-sharing rooms (depending on the specific dormitory), and students are generally not assigned roommates of a different ethnicity.
• Rooms are equipped with a ceiling fan, wardrobe, bed frame, and mattress (students must provide their own pillows, bedsheets, and blankets), as well as a desk and chair; bathrooms are communal (outside the rooms).
• Clothes drying racks are usually located in open areas next to the dormitories or at the ends of each floor.
• Most dormitories have their own convenience stores or kiosks where students can easily purchase dry snacks and daily necessities.
• Facilities typically include Wi-Fi, washing machines, dryers, sports facilities, an activity hall, a cafeteria, and ATMs.
• First-year students at UPM are required to live in the dormitory.
• Each dormitory organizes its own activities; students can participate to earn "merit" points. These points are required for students to qualify to stay in the dormitory during their second year.
• Some dormitories have their own Chinese student groups — such as "Yuan Zhi Jia" (缘之家) at KC, "Shi Xiong Di" (十兄弟) at K10, and the "Shi Er Hua Tuan" (十贰华团) at K12 — which often organize events like Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations.
• Low-power appliances such as electric kettles and irons are sometimes permitted, though they are prohibited in certain dormitories.

Transportation

• The dormitory areas and the academic zone (Kawasan Akademik) are separate and located some distance apart; therefore, taking a bus to class is necessary. However, students living in dormitories closer to the academic zone may choose to walk to class.
• The university provides shuttle bus service, and the fare is already included in the tuition fees for each semester. Download the official PUTRA®BUS app.
• As part of the university's long-term campus greening initiative, bus service is not provided for certain dormitories; this means buses do not stop at the stations located in front of those specific dormitories.
• On weekdays, buses run approximately every 15 minutes, with increased frequency during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal peak hours; on weekends and public holidays, the service runs once an hour.
• 1st-year students are not permitted to bring their own vehicles onto campus. Motorcycles are allowed starting from the 2nd-year, while cars are permitted only from the 3rd-year onwards. Bringing any vehicle requires an application to the university, and upon approval, a sticker must be displayed on the vehicle's windshield.
• To leave the campus, you can wait at the bus stop opposite the Faculty of Modern Languages ​​and Communication (Fakulti Bahasa Moden dan Komunikasi), located in front of Kompleks Akademi A (KAA). The "Selangor Free Bus - SJ04" stops here, with its final destination at KTM Serdang.
• The university also operates shuttle buses to South City Plaza and the Serdang Commuter Station (Stesen Komuter Serdang). During peak hours, the service runs once an hour, while at other times, it generally runs once every two hours.
• Rapid KL intermediate shuttle buses enter the campus directly, providing 5 distinct routes (including feeder bus T568 linking the MRT station to Faculty Pertanian and nearby student areas). Fare is RM1.00 per ride. UPM students are eligible for a 50% discount by applying for a Rapid KL Concession Card.
• For those stay at K10 (Engineering students), you can ride on RapidKL T567 to go MRT UPM Station.
• Nearby UPM, you’ll find The Mines Shopping Centre (accessible via the SJ04 free shuttle bus) and IOI City Mall (reachable by Grab). Traveling from KTM Serdang or MRT UPM to destinations like Mid Valley and KL Sentral is also very convenient! 

Activities

At UPM, celebrations are held for almost every major festival — such as the Lunar New Year Gala, Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, Hari Raya Haji, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, and more. Activities and clubs available at UPM include:

• Education Counseling societies (e.g., 博升)
• Martial arts societies (e.g., Taekwondo, Karate, and Silat societies)
• Sports and ball games (e.g., tennis, golf, archery, rugby, swimming, horse riding, etc.)
• Student leadership bodies (e.g., UPM Student Representative Council / Majlis Perwakilan Pelajar)
• Entrepreneurial societies
• Religious societies (e.g., Islamic Society, Christian Fellowship, Buddhist Society, etc.)
• Cultural societies (e.g., Kelab Penggiat Teater Sejagat [PENTAS], Persatuan Kompang Seni Warisan [SEWAR], Indian Classical Dance Club, UPM Chinese Cultural Society)
• Academic societies (e.g., Environmental Society, Entomology Society, Computer Science Society, and various departmental societies)
• Uniformed bodies (e.g., Scouts, Territorial Army/Reserve Force, Red Crescent Society, etc.)
• International organizations (e.g., AIESEC)

Facilities & Ammenities

1) CIMB @ UPM Chancellery

• Operating Hours: Monday to Friday (9:15 AM – 4:30 PM)
• CIMB Bank is located next to the Putra Chancellery Building (Bangunan Canselori Putra).

2) Souvenir Shop (Galeri Cenderamata) @ UPM Chancellery

• To the left of the bank is the UPM boutique, where students can purchase lab coats and souvenirs featuring the UPM emblem.
• Additionally, ATMs for CIMB, Maybank, and Agrobank can be found at Serumpun Café.

3) Post Office @ KMR One Putra

• Operating Hours: Monday to Friday (8:30 AM – 5:00 PM)
• Located next to the KMR One Putra residential complex; simply cross the overhead bridge next to CIMB Bank, and you will see the post office at the other end.

4) University Health Centre (PKU)

• PKU is located opposite the Putra Food Court.
• Students do not need to pay for medical consultations; simply present your student ID (Matric Card).
• You can undergo a medical check-up here for a fee (approximately RM80).
• There is a dental clinic on-site; services such as teeth cleaning and extractions require payment (approximately RM10).
• Getting the Hepatitis B vaccine at PKU is cheaper than at outside clinics!

5) Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad (Library)

• Upon ascending the steps to the main entrance, you will find Block A to your left and Block B to your right.
• You must carry your matriculation card (RHB MySiswa Debit Card or PutraVID Virtual Student ID) to enter; this card / virtual ID also serves as your library card.
• Block B provides the day's newspapers for students to read on-site; however, they cannot be borrowed or taken out of the building.
• To return books, you may use the counter located outside Block A (near the main entrance steps).
• The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and the Faculty of Engineering also have their own libraries.
• Library official website and online reservation service: http://www.lib.upm.edu.my

Sports and Leisure Facilities

1) Outdoor Swimming Pool (Kompleks Renang)

• Located right next to the Faculty of Educational Studies (Fakulti Pendidikan); the entrance fee is RM2 per visit.

2) Tennis Courts (Kompleks Tenis)

• Located within the residential college area, right next to Astaka Seni.

3) UPM Bukit Ekspo

• A hidden gem at UPM — Bukit Ekspo is located opposite Residential College 13 (K13). It features a running track, an orchard, and beautiful lake views; it is a great spot for picnics, jogging, and hosting events.

4) Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Puchong (Hutan Simpan Ayer Hitam)

• Located about a one-hour drive from the main UPM campus, this site includes lecture halls, laboratories, administrative offices, and accommodation facilities.
• Students from forestry and agricultural disciplines often visit for classes or practical sessions (amali).
• Paintball activities take place within the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve.

5) Golf Course

• The golf course is located behind UPM Stadium. 
• The driving range is situated within the golf course complex

6) Equestrian Centre (Pusat Ekuin)

• The equestrian centre is located within the Agricultural Park; simply head straight out of the stadium, and you will find it directly opposite. 
• UPM students can ride for one hour for just RM15, though this requires assisting with horse preparation and washing the horses.

7) Astaka Seni

• Astaka Seni is located right next to the KOSASS residential college. It serves as a venue for practicing various cultural activities, such as martial arts, Silat, dance, and Chinese orchestra.