Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM) was established in 1997 as Melaka-Manipal Medical College (MMMC).

It was through the vision of Dr. Ramdas Pai, Chancellor of Manipal University, and the instrumental efforts of the late Datuk K Pathmanaban, former Malaysian Deputy Minister of Health. They recognised that the problem of a shortage of doctors Malaysia at the time could be effectively addressed if more Malaysian students were given the opportunity to achieve their aspirations of becoming doctors and healthcare professionals.

The national aspiration was for Malaysia to be a leading hub for education in the region and this was aligned to MMMC’s charter of providing quality medical education at an affordable price. This led to the signing of an agreement in New Delhi in 1993, between Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and the College witnessed by both the Prime Ministers of Malaysia and India. The College was the first Indo-Malaysian collaboration in education and was among the pioneers of private medical education in the country.

MMMC admitted its first batch of MBBS students in 1997 with the support of experienced medical educationists from MAHE who helped in the implementation of the medical programme. This consistency in the quality of education is one of the reasons behind the strategic tie-up that resulted in the formation of MMMC, and it is a relationship that has proven extremely successful due to MMMC’s own vision of serving the nation by providing quality medical education and producing highly competent doctors. The cornerstone of any education provider is by and large its teaching faculty and it is no different with MMMC. The College’s commitment to continuity, and culture of building on its consistency is apparent in the long tenures of its teaching faculty.

In January 2021, MMMC was upgraded to University College status. Thus, births Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM); the result of a long-standing and fruitful relationship between MMMC and the Malaysian Government to address the education needs of the nation by providing quality, affordable medical education while meeting all the requirements of the regulatory bodies.