Wawasan Open University (WOU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR) University College to promote academic collaboration between the two institutions.
The MoU paves the way for mutual visits by faculty members to share teaching experience, conduct research, undertake joint supervision of postgraduate students, and other academic activities.
PROF DATO’ DR HO SINN CHYE (2ND FROM LEFT) AND DATUK DR TAN CHIK HEOK (2ND FROM RIGHT) SIGN THE MOU.
The MoU was inked by Prof Dato’ Dr Ho Sinn Chye, the Vice Chancellor of WOU, and Datuk Dr Tan Chik Heok, the President/CEO of TAR University College, during a simple ceremony at TAR University College main campus, Kuala Lumpur.
On hand to witness the official signing was WOU Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Tham Choy Yoong and TAR University College Registrar Phoong Huey Ling. Other attendees were WOU Director of Regional Operations for Klang Valley, Adrian Siew, and senior management representatives from TAR University College.
PROF HO (CENTRE) WITH SENIOR STAFF OF WOU AND TAR UC.
Commenting that both institutions believe in and are committed to the promotion of lifelong learning, Prof. Ho added that, “Our signing of the MoU in a way reaffirms that commitment. We shall work closely together to achieve the stated objectives of our collaboration.”
Later in a one-hour presentation to the faculty members of TAR University College, Prof. Ho gave a brief account of WOU’s academic programmes and its open and distance learning delivery (ODL) and online learning support system.
“ODL is considered a blessing by those who want to study further while still holding on to their jobs or who might not be able to attend a full-time course for various reasons. Hence staff and alumni of TAR University College who wish to pursue higher degrees or MBA programmes on a part-time basis are welcome to do so with WOU. Where applicable, WOU is able to offer course credit exemptions for their Diploma and Advanced Diploma holders,” said Prof Ho.
PROF HO CONDUCTS A PROGRAMME PREVIEW SESSION FOR THE TAR UC FACULTY.
WOU congratulates TAR University College on its recent elevation to the status of a university; it was previously known as TAR College. The college, since its inception in 1969, has some 132,000 graduates, out of which some 20% or about 30,000 diploma holders do not continue with their studies but enter the job market.
This MoU signing is significant for WOU as it opens the door for the University to offer its ODL programmes to a potentially large number of TAR College alumni, who are diploma holders, and to the existing academic staff of TAR University College.
There are now avenues for the WOU Regional Centres to liaise with the five TAR University College branch campuses – in Penang, Johor, Perak, Pahang and Sabah – for possible roadshows and programme previews.
