Wawasan Open University

Wawasan Open University, abbreviated as WOU, is a private university located in Penang, Malaysia that provides working adults with access to higher education via open distance learning (ODL).

Wawasan Open University
Universiti Terbuka Wawasan [1]  (Malay)
TypePrivate
Established2006
Location
Georgetown
,
Penang
,
Malaysia
ColoursLight Green, and Dark Green
AffiliationsAAOU,[2] ICDE[3]
Websitewww.wou.edu.my
Wawasan Open University Main Campus in Penang, Malaysia
Wawasan Open University Main Campus in Penang, Malaysia

It was established in 2006 and enrolled its first batch of students in 2007.[4][5] In September 2013, WOU began to also offer full-time degree programmes to STPM school leavers and diploma holders at its Main Campus in Penang.[6]

Academic programmes and accreditation

The university currently offers a large number of part-time programmes at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. The programmes include management, accounting, banking and finance, sales and marketing, psychology, liberal studies, English studies, construction management, electronics, manufacturing management, and education (including early childhood education).[7]

The university also offers 11 full-time Bachelor's degree programmes at its campus in Penang in such fields as management, accounting, sales and marketing, banking and finance, logistics and supply chain management, and computer systems and networks.[8]

All WOU programmes are accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and approved by the Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE). WOU achieved a Tier-5 or "Excellent" rating in the SETARA local university ranking exercise conducted by the MOE in 2011 and 2013.[9]

Campus

The university's main campus is located by the sea in the northeastern part of Penang Island, Malaysia. The main campus consists of two buildings: a heritage mansion called Homestead and the modern 12-storey Al-Bukhary Building. In addition to its main campus in Penang, WOU operates four regional centres in Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Kuching to support its distance learners located in and around those cities. It also has two smaller regional support centres in Bandar Utama and Klang.

Faculties

There are four schools in Wawasan Open University:

  • School of Science and Technology
  • School of Education, Languages and Communications
  • School of Business and Administration
  • School of Humanities and Social Sciences

WOU also has the following centres and institute:

  • Centre for Graduate Studies
  • Centre for Professional Development and Continuing Education (PACE)
  • Institute for Research and Innovation (IRI)

Administration

Chief Executive and Vice Chancellor

Professor Dr Lily Chan has been appointed as the fourth Vice Chancellor in April 2019. She takes over the helm from Professor Dato’ Dr Ho Sinn Chye, who left the University at the end of 2017. In the interim, the Acting Vice Chancellor was Professor Dr Zoraini Wati Abas.

Chancellor

Eminent sports administrator and former Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar has been appointed as the fourth Chancellor of WOU. He succeeds Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah, a former Chief Justice of Malaysia, who served for five years until December 2018.

Pro-chancellor

Retired medical researcher and veteran politician Dato’ Dr Lim Thuang Seng has assumed the mantle of Pro-Chancellor of WOU. He takes over from Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, a former Chief Minister of Penang. A central committee member of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan) since 1987, Dr Lim served as the Selangor State Executive Councillor for Health, Tourism and Consumer Affairs from 2004 to 2008.

Partner Institution

Hong Kong

Japan

Malaysia

India

Sri Lanka

References
  1. "Universiti Terbuka Wawasan". Malaysian Qualifications Register. MQA. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  2. "Full Members of Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU)". Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU). Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  3. "Members of International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)". International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE). Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  4. "Wawasan College to start enrolment soon - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  5. "Wawasan Open U opens doors on Jan 22 - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  6. "Full-time degrees a milestone for WOU". www.thesundaily.my. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  7. "Part-Time Study Programmes". Home. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  8. "Full-Time Study Programmes". Home. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  9. "Wawasan offering 10th anniversary rebates". BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News. 1 February 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
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