Go the distance with UPM
UNIVERSITI Putra Malaysia (UPM) brings higher education to your doorstep through its distance learning (PJJ) programmes, under the UPM Education and Training Sdn. Bhd. (formerly known as Pusat Pendidikan Luar) or usually referred to as UPM Education & Training which was formed in 1995.
Under PJJ, students can pursue their studies at Diploma’s, Bachelor’s or Masters Levels. The quest for knowledge cuts across boundaries as more working people from various professions sign up for the distance learning programmes offered by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
UPM Education & Training is moving in tandem with the aspirations of the Higher Education Ministry to spur life-long learning and to produce a knowledgeable workforce. The external programmes are designed for working people who feel the need to add value to their profession.
By organising their time well, students do not need to quit their jobs to enrol in any of the programmes offered. Convenience is the key approach used by UPM to get as many working adults, to obtain their first degree.
The learning approach is more studentcentred as they will study on their own except for tutorials. UPM Education and Training will provide students with whatever assistance required and students are to attend two face-to-face classes with UPM lecturers in a semester at UPM campus or via video conferencing.
Tutorial classes are conducted at the respective learning centres twelve hours in a semester. The tutorials will be more discussion-oriented between tutors and students.
Tutors with wide experience are appointed by the university to conduct tutorial classes at 16 centres under the purview of UPM Education and Training nationwide, including Sabah and Sarawak.
Combining the internet and video equipment, the university has melted physical distance to provide real-time lectures to students at UPM off-campus centres through live recordings.
The video-conferencing, called ‘LIP’ or Live-Interactive PPL is becoming a culture for tertiary education. The lectures are recorded and posted on UPM Education and Training website so that students can refer to it anytime they need to verify their notes.
The internet connectivity is provided to widen its reach so that more people could get a university education.
PJJ programmes include Diploma of Human Development (DPM). Bachelor’s degrees are offered in Agriculture (BSP), Human Development (BSPM), Malay Language and Linguistics (BABM) or English Language (BABE), Education (TESL), Human Resource Development (BSHRD), and Communications (BCOMM). Master’s degrees are offered in Human Resource Development (MHRD), Malay Language (MBM), Education Teaching Malay as a First Language(MPPBMP), Education Management(MPPP) and Corporate Communication (MCCOMM).
Application can be done online any time and there is no age-limit for distancelearning in UPM. There are retirees, state assemblymen, teachers, police and army personnel, journalist, newscasters, entrepreneurs and many more with various backgrounds as PJJ students.
Through 17 learning centers available throughout the country, including the main campus of UPM’s, students have the option of following the session at a location closest to them without having to worry about the difficulty of attending classes .
The Learning Center are in Kedah (Alor Setar), Perak (Ipoh), Selangor (Shah Alam), Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan (Seremban), Melaka (Ayer Keroh), Johor (Johor Bahru), Pahang (Kuantan), Terengganu (Kuala Terengganu), Kelantan (Kota Bharu), Sabah (Kota Kinabalu and Tawau), Sarawak (Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri) and UPM Serdang campus.