Celebrating students’ success
EARLY next month, Open University Malaysia (OUM) will be celebrating the graduation of more than 5,000 of its learners. The 26th convocation will be held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur from Oct 1 to 4.
Scrolls will be presented to graduates by the Chancellor, Tun Jeanne Abdullah, and the Pro Chancellor, Tan Sri Azman Hashim.
The convocation will bring OUM’s cumulative graduates to over 95,000 since its first convocation in 2004.
OUM is a university with a difference. Despite being a private university, it is owned by a consortium of 11 public universities called Meteor Sdn Bhd. And while other universities mainly focused on the conventional mode of faceto-face learning, it practised open and distance learning (ODL), which combined physical classes with online learning, before shifting to fully online classes after Covid-19 struck.
Students attend classes, engage in discussions, submit assignments and sit for exams online, which makes it easy and convenient for them to work and study at the same time.
They could also manage their studies independently through an online learning platform, while receiving guidance and support from the learning centre nearest to them, out of 35 learning centres nationwide.
Says OUM president/vice-chancellor, Datuk Dr Ahmad Izanee Awang, “With 22 years of experience in ODL, we offer a learnerfriendly, flexible and accessible approach to higher education to ensure that anyone can study anywhere and at any time, not just within Malaysia but also across the globe.
“Our programmes are career-relevant, accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency, and recognised by various professional bodies. This does not mean the enrolment process is difficult; even if you think you don’t qualify, APEL can open the door for you.”
By APEL, he meant the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning, which enables individuals to gain university admission and obtain credit transfer on the strength of their working experience.
Through APEL A (admission), learners could enrol in bachelor’s degree programmes without SPM or diploma qualifications. They could opt for a master’s degree if they are 30 or older and have STPM or diploma qualifications.
To shorten their study duration, which will greatly help in reducing costs, they could apply for APEL C (credit award), which will allow them to obtain up to 30% subject exemption.
OUM’s graduates come from all walks of life, such as beauty queen and multi-talented artiste Dr Soo Wincci (PhD in Business Administration), actress Vanidah Imran (Bachelor of English Studies), and karate champion Emmanuel Leong (Bachelor of Psychology). With its motto of “University for All”, OUM also enables persons with disabilities and senior citizens to pursue higher education by providing them with a 50% discount.
Dr Hazrul Hizam Karim, 47, is one of those who will be graduating at the coming convocation.
Currently the Environmental, Social and Governance Manager and Organisational Counsellor at an aerospace company in Selangor, he took up the Master of Counselling, received his degree in 2015, and then pursued the PhD (Arts) in Counselling in 2016.
“I found that almost all the subjects I had learnt could be applied at work. In fact, after graduating with my master’s, I successfully convinced the top management at my workplace to create a counselling unit. It was set up within just five months.
“My next challenge was to take on the PhD. It was another enriching experience as I presented research papers at symposiums and met counselling experts in Malaysia. In my view, OUM not only provides learning services but also empowers its students to succeed in what they do. I’m now the first counsellor in the aerospace industry in Malaysia.”
Experiences such as his boost OUM’s resolve to intensify its efforts to make higher education more accessible, available and convenient for more Malaysians. And to have many more convocations to celebrate graduates such as him who have successfully juggled work and study for career progress.
■ For information on OUM programmes, call 03-7801 2000 or e-mail enquiries@oum.edu.my or visit www.oum.edu.my