We will soon celebrate the dawn of another year with the hope that 2010 will bring good tidings for the University. It will be another challenging year ahead of us due to the uncertainty in the global economy which affects the nation’s well-being and also indirectly the higher education sector.
In times of crisis such as this, we should remain resilient and stay true to our values. The shared values that we embrace have served us well since we started to enroll students in August 2001. Since then, we have been witnessing a comparatively rapid growth in students’ enrollment as well as our academic programmes. At the same time, we are also proud that OUM is being recognised as a premier open and distance learning (ODL) institution.
We are hopeful that the coming year will bring the desired results of our recent initiatives. Being learner-oriented, we recognise the importance of offering marketable programmes that meet the changing needs of learners and industry. In this respect, we have introduced new programmes to attract a more diverse group of learners. The Master of Instructional Design and Technology (MIDT) programme, for example, has made it possible for OUM to attract learners from around the world as it is conducted totally online.
We are intensifying efforts to promote public awareness of our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) initiative which provides the means for those with previously low academic achievement to study at OUM. We were proud to note that almost 20% of our open market intake for 2009 was achieved through this flexible entry mode. We will continue to promote this initiative so that more working people will benefit.
Quality is central in our effort to provide quality programmes and services. To further improve teaching and learning, the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Assessment was set up to oversee continuous improvement in the teaching and learning processes. This is crucial because we must ensure that our learners undergo a rewarding learning experience. Besides recruiting highly qualified faculty members and tutors, the University is planning to acquire new premises as our learning centres; thus providing an enhanced learning environment for our learners. Currently, the University owns 14 such centres with two learning centres to be opened soon in Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu. We are also planning to have our own learning centres in Miri, Alor Setar and Batu Pahat in the next two years.
In our efforts to be a global player in ODL, the University will strengthen its existing international partnerships and at the same time, explore new opportunities in other countries. We are currently collaborating with an institution in Ghana and our partner in Vietnam, to offer academic programmes very soon. This will increase our international presence which we believe will augur well for the University.
Lastly, I would like for all of us to prepare ourselves for change and innovation as the circumstances that we will face in 2010 are more challenging. Nevertheless, as we welcome the New Year, let us inspire ourselves to strive for outstanding achievements in learning, discovery and service for the advancement of our society.
Please accept my best wishes and A Happy New Year.
Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Anuwar Ali
President/Vice-Chancellor
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