Southern University College
Southern University College

Southern University College

南方大学学院

Last Updated: 2026-10-01 10:31:35
Type of Institution
Comprehensive university
Areas of Program
Finance & Economics, Business Management, Food, Beverage, Leisure & Tourism, Computer & Information Technology, Engineering Science & Technology, Literature, History & Languages, Communication, Education, Humanities, Law & Social Sciences, Art & Design, Medical & Health
Year of Establishment
1990
Leadership
Prof. ChM. Dr. Leong Loong Kong
Campus
Southern University College(Main Campus)
Student Number (local)
2000
Student Number (international)
100
Number of Teaching Staff
150

Introduction

Southern University College (also known as Southern UC) attained its current status in 2012. It was previously known as Southern College - established in 1990 as the first non-profit institute of higher-education in Malaysia to provide a local educational channel for high school graduates who were unable to further their studies in foreign countries or gain admission to other local tertiary educational institutions.

Historically, Southern UC has its origin 50 years ago (in 1975) in Foon Yew High School, Johor Bahru, offering an Advanced Studies Programme. In 1986, the Foon Yew Board of Directors applied to the Ministry of Education to set up a community funded college. Through the persistent effort of the Chinese community leaders, approval was subsequently obtained from the Ministry of Education in 1990 for the establishment of Southern College.

Southern UC is located in the Skudai area of Johor Bahru, Malaysia - an area within the Iskandar Malaysia Economic Zone. Its campus land is sized at 33 acres, mainly donated by philanthropist Mr. Seow Wan Heong. Following the development of Iskandar Malaysia Economic Zone, Southern UC will be one of the important educational institutions in Malaysia, and has poised itself to become an international educational institution. The Southern UC campus is a scenic spot, rich in Chinese traditional colours and a multicultural atmosphere that encompasses the spirit of co-existence and multi-culturism.

Currently, Southern UC has 6 faculties, 3 schools, and 10 research institutes. The 6 Faculties include Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Business and Management, Faculty of Art and Design, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, Faculty of Chinese Medicine and Faculty of Chinese Studies. The 3 schools comprised School of Foundation Studies, School of Professional & Continuing Education and Southern Institute of Technical Education. The 10 research institutes include Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Research Institute of Chinese Ethnicity & Culture, Malaysian Chinese Literature Centre, Research Institute of Malay Language and Culture, A+I Design Research Centre, Centre for Business & Management Research, Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence, Robotic, and IoT (CARI), Research Centre of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Education, Psychology and Counselling Research Centre, and Social Sciences Research Centre (SSRC).

Specialty

Southern UC pioneer the Chinese Community funded college. It became the first community funded private college approved to be established in 1990 and was upgraded to university college in 2012.
First community funded non-profit University College in Southeast Asia
Traditional Chinese Medicine building is well-equipped
The IEB Building was completed on 1st September 2016. It includes 170 air-conditioned hostel rooms with 422 beds. In additions, 18 VIP rooms, which can accommodate 32 lecturers and VIPs.
In February 2020, Southern UC’s School of Education and Psychology launched a Center for Mental Health and Counseling. The purpose is to provide affordable psychotherapy services to those in need.
In April 2020, Southern UC signed MOU with Tianjin University of TCM. This allows our TCM students to complete their final year's clinical practice in Tianjin, hence completing their degree.
An exclusive Media Studio is used by the crews of Southern Television Station since its establishment in 25 September 2020
Nantah-ST AI Centre of Excellence officially launched on July 2026, creating an internationally connected platform for AI learning, innovation, and practical application.

Achievement

In 2026, the Faculty of Engineering & Information Technology secured 8 awards at the ICIIC internati
In 2026, the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences achieved a Gold Award for the industry-academic
In 2026, the Faculty of Art & Design achieved outstanding results in the International Giant Panda C
In 2026, the Southern Taekwondo-Do Association delivered strong performance, winning three gold meda
In 2026, the Faculty of Art & Design held the award ceremony for the 34th Times Young Creative Award
2025 International Times Young Creative Award : “Best Institution Award”
Teachers and students won over 300 local and international awards untill 2026
The BrandLaureate World’s Best Brand of the Year Award 2024
SETARA 2022 Rating Result: Competitive
SETARA 2019 Rating Result (Category Emerging Universities): 4 Star Rating
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