About Us

ABOUT UNGKU AZIZ CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES 

The Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies (UAC) was established by the Universiti Malaya (UM) as a centre of excellence dedicated to advancing research, policy dialogue and community engagement in the areas of development, poverty, social well-being and inclusive growth, in line with national aspirations and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The establishment of UAC is closely linked to the creation of the Royal Professor Ungku Aziz Chair (RPUAC) at the Faculty of Economics and Administration, UM. The Chair was founded to honour the outstanding contributions of Royal Professor Ungku Aziz in the fields of education and economic development, particularly in rural development and poverty alleviation. To facilitate and support the activities of the Chair, a research centre was established, originally known as the Centre for Poverty and Development Studies (CPDS), which later evolved into the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies (UAC).

Since 2016, the Centre has undertaken strategic initiatives to expand and further develop the field of development studies by embracing its interdisciplinary nature. These efforts aim to attract wider participation, engage young scholars and practitioners, and move beyond a mono-disciplinary approach to development. The defining pillars of the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies reflect both the Centre’s evolution and the dynamic nature of development studies itself.

Through research, policy engagement, publications and community-based programmes, UAC continues to uphold the intellectual legacy of Royal Professor Ungku Aziz while contributing meaningfully to the pursuit of a more just, inclusive and sustainable society.