[1] IMU was established in 1992 and was the first private higher education institution in Malaysia that received the right to confer academic degrees,[2] and it was granted full university status by the government in 1999.

[3] IMU was one of only three private universities in Malaysia which was awarded the "6 Star: Outstanding" SETARA ranking by the Ministry of Higher Education in 2017 and subsequently in 2020.

Mohamed Zahir Ismail served as the first Chancellor (1999–2004), followed by Sulaiman Daud (2005–2010), T. Devaraj (2010–2013), Amir Abbas (2013–2018), Gan Ee Kiang (2018-2021) and Yahya Awang (since 2021).

[citation needed] Alumni Association of International Medical University (AAIMU) was established in 2002 where the elected committee members will serve for two years.

The AAIMU has set up Chapters to work with the IMU’s Schools and Centre to coordinate events and activities.