Open University Malaysia
In Malaysia, the concept of an open university was first proposed by the Minister of Education and soon after that, under the efforts of Multimedia Technology Enhancement Operations Sdn. Bhd. (METEOR), the Open University Malaysia (OUM) was established in the month of August in the year 2000.
The Open University Malaysia is incorporated as a private university under the Private Higher Education Institutions Act 1996 and on top of that, it is also the seventh private university in the whole of Malaysia. The main philosophy of Open University Malaysia is to enable everyone in Malaysia to be able to acquire proper further education regardless of time, location, age, or social-economic background.
The open and distance learning (DOL) offered by the Open University Malaysia is specifically tailored for the need for education by the working class. With this, the working class in Malaysia will be able to further their education in the same time where they have to juggle between their family and careers.
Aside from that, Open University Malaysia uses up–to–date teaching and learning methods in the whole university. In addition to that, all of the academic programs such as information technology, engineering, business, science, social science, and et cetera are being tailored to cater to the demands and the latest trends of the industry and the marketplace in general.
Currently, there are a total of five faculties here in the Open University Malaysia and these five faculties include the Faculty of Information Technology and Multimedia Communication, Faculty of Business and Management, Faculty of Education, Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Technical Studies, and last but not least, Faculty of Science and Foundation Studies.
For the Faculty of Information Technology and Multimedia Communication, a total of 8 courses which are offered include
- Diploma in Information Technology
- Bachelor of Information Technology with Honors
- Bachelor of Information Technology and Management with Honors
- Bachelor of Multimedia Communication with Honors
- Bachelor of Information Technology with Accounting with Honors
- Master of Information Technology
- Master of Multimedia Communication
- Doctor of Philosophy (Information Technology).
- As for the Faculty of Business and Management, the same amount of courses are offered and these include Bachelor of Accounting
- Bachelor of Hospitality Management
- Bachelor of Human Resource Management
- Bachelor of Tourism Management
- Diploma in Human Resource Management
- Diploma in Management
- Bachelor in Business Administration with Honors
- Bachelor in Management with Honors.
Besides that, for the Faculty of Education, Arts and Social Sciences, a program for teachers is offered and this program is known as Bachelor of Education with Honors (TESL).
For the Faculty of Science and Foundation Studies, there are a total of two courses offered for teachers and these include Bachelor of Education with Honors (Science) and Bachelor of Education with Honors (Mathematics) as well.
Lastly, for the Faculty of Engineering and Technical Studies, three courses which are Bachelor of Education with Honors (Civil Engineering), Bachelor of Education with Honors (Mechanical Engineering), and as well as Bachelor of Education with Honors (Electrical Engineering) are being offered to teachers.
As for the open market, five different courses are being offered and these five courses include Bachelor of Technology Management, Diploma of Technology Management, Diploma of Civil Engineering, Diploma of Electrical Engineering, and lastly, Diploma of Mechanical Engineering.
Previously, some of the faculties such as the Faculty of Education, Arts, and Social Sciences, and Faculty of Science and Foundation Studies only offer courses for teachers. However, currently, both of the faculties now offer courses for the open market as well as some of these courses include Bachelor of Education (Educational Administration) with Honors for Faculty of Education, Arts and Social Sciences and as well as Bachelor of Mathematics with Information Technology with Honors, Bachelor of Sport Science with Honors and Bachelor of Mathematics and Management (Honors) for the Faculty of Science and Foundation Studies.
The programs offered by the Open University Malaysia are fully recognized by JPA and in addition to that, these courses include:
- Diploma in Information Technology
- Diploma in Management
- Bachelor in Information Technology with Honors
- Bachelor in Management with Honors
- Bachelor in Business Administration with Honors
- Bachelor in Information Technology & Management with Honors
are currently being fully accredited by Lembaga Akreditasi Negara (LAN).
Open University Malaysia Official Website