Bangi: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia is taking the lead in multidisciplinary studies following approval from the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to rename the School of Liberal Studies as the Faculty of Liberal Sciences (FLS).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, UKM Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Sufian Jusoh stated that FLS offers undergraduate programmes that provide students with greater flexibility, including a two-year university and two-year industry study model (2u2i). This approach combines academic learning with real-world workplace experience, allowing students to gain first-hand experience in industries relevant to their fields of study. Through this approach, students can enhance their experiential learning through practical workplace experience provided by industry.

He mentioned that following the renaming, the faculty would continue to play an important role in developing students' generic competencies, including communication skills, analytical thinking, digital literacy, and an appreciation of values and civilisation. The university is confident that the new status will further enhance academic visibility, institutional reputation, and strategic collaboration at the national and international levels, particularly in the field of liberal sciences.

Meanwhile, FLS Dean Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh highlighted that the faculty is in the process of establishing a Bachelor of Heritage Arts programme. The faculty also offers postgraduate programmes, namely the Master of Liberal Sciences and Doctor of Philosophy. She added that the faculty would propose the establishment of a Council of Deans of Liberal Sciences under MOHE and the development of Liberal Sciences Programme Standards through the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).