The foundation of Universitas Pattimura was started when several prominent community members took the initiative to establish a higher education institution in Maluku. The initiatives were led by the late Dr. J. B. Sitanala, a prominent community member in Maluku. He is a doctor, a community member who has merit in community service, especially in the development of Maluku's education sector. The initiatives were taken to accommodate the community's aspiration to participate in developing the Nation and the Country and science and knowledge.
To establish this noble plan, then a Higher Education Foundation for Maluku and West Papua was founded on 20 July 1955, chaired by Mr. Cornelis Loppies. Later on 3 October 1956, the foundation established the Law Faculty. This date was then celebrated as the birth date of Universitas Pattimura. It was then followed by the establishments of Social and Politics Faculty on 6 October 1959 and Teacher Training and Education Science Faculty on 10 September 1961.
To develop science, technology, and arts through the sea-island based researches that have international qualifications. To implement and disseminate the study results in science, technology, and arts for community developments. Objectives are to established a fair and prevalent higher education service to all levels of the community. To graduate students and produce scientific works with the sea-island orientations that can compete in the local, national, and international market. To provide education and research facilities that conform with the National Standard of Education qualifications. To establish the University as an academic community that has potential and excels in the sea-island based knowledge. To establish a scientific culture that upholds truth, justice, openness, critical, creative, innovative, and perceptive towards the dynamics of changes, in regional, national and international scopes, To establish a well-managed organization and firm management the University which is fit and accountable.
The logo of Universitas Pattimura symbolizes the Pentagon form of the logo symbolizes Pancasila's endurance and spirit as the ideology foundation. It represents the spirit and all forms of efforts and devotions of Universitas Pattimura. The red flame on the torch (Pattimura torch) symbolizes and signifies the spirit of Pattimura, a National Hero from Maluku who fought against Dutch colonialism, who died in 1817. Three red flames represent three pillars of higher education functions education, research, and community service. These functions are carried out with a noble spirit and heroism. The yellow lotus represents knowledge and wisdom. Three white pearls represent endurance in studying and efforts to uphold higher education's three pillars to yield high-quality results. These three white pearls and ten lotus sheaths symbolize the birth date of Universitas Pattimura, 3th of October.
White of the pearls represent purity spirit; politics must not contaminate education. Red-yellow at the torch fire flames represents the burning passion for pursuing the three pillars of higher education functions and active in their applications.
