Mastering project management
OBTAINING a master’s degree in project management is not only beneficial to individuals, but also to organisations. Open University Malaysia (OUM) offers the Master of Project Management (MPM) programme for those who are keen to add transferable knowledge and skills in handling and delivering projects.
Programme director Dr Mariatul Liza Meor Gheda says, “This accredited programme focuses on a much broader view of project management. It gives learners a deeper understanding of the issues faced in managing projects and helps them formulate approaches and apply different techniques to address those issues. It is ideal for professionals who want to stay in project management roles for the next decade.”
With 12 structured courses representing 40 credit hours, the two-year programme will also help equip learners to prepare for the Project Management Professional (PMP) examination. Obtaining the universally recognised PMP certification will help boost learners’ career development as well.
Dr Mariatul adds, “The MPM curriculum is aligned with A Guide to the Project Management Book of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), which they will need to master in order to successfully pass the exam and obtain the certification.”
The PMBOK Guide is an international, industry-standard approach and fundamental resource for project management that can be applied across different industries, businesses and government institutions.
“Most of our learners are practising project managers who realise they need the MPM to advance their careers in the industry. Others are middle managers who want to add valuable project management skills to their résumés. Another segment of learners is working adults who recognise that project management is a new field with much growth potential,” she explains.
Offered at all learning centres nationwide, the programme is also fully available online.
“We want to make learning limitless to all. There are several positive aspects of online lessons. First of all, learners are within the comfort of their home or workplace, which makes learning more relaxed and comfortable.
“Secondly, studying online makes our learners more independent. I am sure that with the right tools and applications, OUM can cater to the needs of all types of learners and produce the highest level of immersive and personalised learning,” Dr Mariatul says.
What’s more, eligible learners can apply for APEL(C) – which stands for the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning for Credit Award. It was introduced to provide recognition for learners’ prior knowledge and skills acquired from nonformal and informal settings.
APEL(C) awards credits for certain subjects which will help shorten study duration and reduce the cost of completing the programme. Learners are allowed to apply for a maximum of 30% credit transfer of the total graduating credits for the MPM programme. The same applies for many other programmes too.
Indeed, the MPM is a stepping stone for learners to realise dreams of career advancement, as well as for organisations to cultivate organisational growth and success by having skilled experts in project management. For more information on the MPM and other programmes, call the OUM Speed Line at 03-7801 2000, Whatsapp 012-303 9935/019-357 9074, email enquiries@oum. edu.my or visit www.oum.edu.my