The Dance Department at the University of Malaya (UM), housed under the Faculty of Creative Arts, has established itself as a leading centre for dance studies in Malaysia. The department is dedicated to advancing various forms of dance research in alignment with the university’s mission of “pushing the boundaries of knowledge and nurturing aspiring leaders.”
Two performance groups—KESUMA and UMa Dance—operate under the Dance Department, serving as platforms to showcase choreographic works, repertoires, and class projects developed by students throughout the semester. These groups also feature original choreographies by alumni, faculty members, and industry professionals.
KESUMA highlights the richness of Malaysia’s cultural diversity through traditional dance performances, presenting the elegance of Malay, Chinese, Indian, Sabah, and Sarawak classical and folk dance forms. UMa Dance, in contrast, focuses on contemporary dance, brought to life by a dynamic ensemble of undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as distinguished alumni.
