The previous name of Mulawarman University was the Higher Education of Mulawarman and  it established on 7 June 1962 in Samarinda, which based on the decree of East Kalimantan Governor No. 15/PPK/KDH/ 1962 and 27 September was confirmed as the anniversary of Mulawarman University. Then Unmul was officially confirmed since the Minister of Education and Science issuing a decree No. 130 on 28 September 1962 and it had been completed by the decree of the President of the Republic of Indonesia No. 65 on 23 April 1963. At the beginning of establishing, Mulawarman University has 4 faculties: Faculty of Public Administration and Commerce, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Forestry, and Faculty of Geology. Based on the decree of the President of Republic of Indonesia No. 66 on 7 September 1982, Mulawarman University got a new faculty in education. The following faculties:

Faculty of Economics
Faculty of Social and Political Sciences
Faculty of Agriculture
Faculty of Forestry
Faculty of Teacher Training and Education

The Vision of Mulawarman University:

”Being an International Standard University by participating the nation development through the Education, Research, and Community Services based on the Natural Resources, in particular Humid Tropical Rain Forest and its environment”

The mission of statement is derived from the vision that has been established for the purposes of the organization to be implemented and managed properly.

Mission of Mulawarman University :

-- To produce qualified human resources, personality, and professional through the organization of higher education with international standards.
- To produce  high quality and efficient research by promoting the principles of sustainability
- To hold accountable management and independent university in accordance with the national standard.