OUM spearheads equitable access to education with a new approach

This year Malaysia’s first open and distance university celebrates a decade of breaking down social, financial and geographical barriers to education. Taking learning beyond the classroom and into homes and workplaces nationwide, Open University Malaysia (OUM) plays a significant role in transforming higher education from an elite privilege to a universal opportunity.

Incorporated as a private university, OUM leverages on the quality, prestige and capabilities of the 11 public universities that form the institution to offer a wide range of disciplines, from IT and engineering to the arts, social sciences, business and science.

The flexibility, quality, affordability and accessibility of OUM’s courses have been key factors in its soaring student numbers. Initially opening its doors to 753 learners in 2001, OUM now has more than 100,000 registered students fulfilling long-held learning ambitions on its 70 academic programs. Its courses are particularly useful for people who want to earn while they learn, incorporating studies into busy day-to-day working schedules and family life. OUM is also well positioned to capitalize on the latest technological advances, such as the mushrooming market for tablets and other mobile devices, to deliver education directly into the hands of the masses.