Kolej Poly-Tech MARA (KPTM), formerly known as Kolej Yayasan Pelajaran MARA (KYPM) was established as a private higher educational institution under the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996 (Act 555) in September 2003. Managed by Kolej Poly-Tech MARA Sdn. Bhd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), KPTM offers a wide range of educational opportunities in the field of Information Technology, Computer Science, Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Accounting, Business Management, Engineering, Humanities and Bio-Industry.
It all started in January 1983 with the establishment of the Learning Resource Centre in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. In June 1983, Maktab Sains MARA (also known as MARA Community College) in Kuantan, Pahang was formed. At that time, it offered a twinning program known as the American Associate Degree (AAD). The program was well accepted by more than 75 universities in the United States and New Zealand as a 2+2 transfer degree program.