The University of Malikussaleh was founded by taking the first name of the first Raja Pasir Samudera Pasai, based on the spirit of leadership and development relay that has been laid through the pioneering, dynamism, and patriotism of Sultan Malikussaleh. The Kingdom of Islam Samudera Pasai recorded in history as the first Islamic Kingdom in the archipelago which became the forerunner of the center of development and spreading of Islam in the archipelago and Southeast Asia, is a center of Islamic Education and renowned science that pass on the spirit of the fighters for future generations in developing Islam, science, technology, art, and culture that has resulted in Syech (Professor) and other scientists. So the brilliance of their thinking at that time has had a major impact on the Welfare State "Baldatun Thayyibatun Wa Rabbun Ghafur" a Beautiful, Just, and Prosperous Country who is blessed by Allah SWT.
Sultan Malikussaleh has not only been able to lay a solid foundation in his time, even the fundament he once established has colored the character and spirit of this nation until now. Although in Aceh the Kingdom of Samudera Pasai has disappeared and Malikussaleh has also died, but his pioneering spirit, dynamism, and patriotism are still engraved on the inside and become the driving force of this nation's struggle. The spirit-inspired background of history is the foundation of hope for the successor generated by the University of Malikussaleh. Supported by the rich natural resources, Malikussaleh University is expected to empower the human resources of Aceh Utara and Acehnese in general.