(16-17 January 2010)
A total of 726 students had signed up nationwide for Wawasan Open University’s seventh semester commencing in January.
The new students received a warm welcome during the Orientation Day simultaneously organised by the regional offices in Penang, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Kuching. It was held a day earlier in Kota Bharu.
STUDENTS VIEW WELCOMING ADDRESS FROM THE VICE CHANCELLOR.
In Penang, over 250 students attended the orientation at the main campus, which kicked off with a welcome address by Penang Regional Office director K Manoharan. Students here – and at the other orientations – watched a pre-recorded speech by Vice Chancellor Prof Wong Tat Meng projected onto a large screen.
School of Foundation and Liberal Studies dean Prof Mogana Dhamotharan explained WOU’s open distance learning (ODL) model, followed by sessions on the university’s regulations and procedures, learning support and services, and the Master’s programmes. Students received hands-on learning on WOU’s e-library facilities and student portal.
Meanwhile at the Kuala Lumpur Regional Office, 117 new students turned up out of the total 179 students who had registered, including 76 students from the Bandar Utama Regional Support Office.
ASSOC PROF DR MALACHI EDWIN VETHAMANI.
INAUGURAL ORIENTATION BY THE KUCHING REGIONAL OFFICE.
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Strategy, Planning and Continuing Education) U K Menon welcomed the freshmen and briefed the CeMBA students. There were also briefings by School of Education, Languages and Communications dean Assoc Prof Dr Malachi Edwin Vethamani and KLRO director Abdul Rahman Sidek. The oath-taking was led by Bachelor of Business in Management (Hons) student Jeffrey Ignacio.
The inaugural orientation for the Kuching Regional Office was successfully held at the Sarawak State Library attended by 41 students and six tutors. School of Business and Administration dean Prof Chee Kim Loy from the main campus spoke on the ODL model, study skills and TMA preparation, and conducted a separate session for the CeMBA/CeMPA students.
KCRO director Jimmy Chai briefed on WOU’s regulations and procedures and the student support available, tutor Dona Chang on WawasanLearn, and marketing and admission executive Mohamad Azaharani showed how to utilise the CD-ROM-based study materials.
Over at the Ipoh Regional Office, 58 students and six tutors attended. Regional Operations director Chong Kong Hoong offered support, while the respective sessions were handled by SBA deputy dean Dr Teoh Ai Ping and the IPRO team, including director Ching Huey Ling.
STUDENTS TAKE THEIR OATH IN IPOH.
A total of 82 new students and 15 tutors took part in the orientation organised by the Johor Bahru Regional Office in Southern College. Student representative Halimatusa’adiah Asnan shared her experiences of studying in WOU and led in the oath-taking. School of Science and Technology acting dean Prof Tham Choy Yoong lent a hand with the briefing sessions.
PROF THAM EXPLAINS THE PROGRAMME STRUCTURE.
At the Orientation Day organised by the Kota Bharu Regional Office a day earlier, Assistant Vice Chancellor (Academic Support) Prof Dato Ho Sinn Chye briefed the total 16 students on how to access the CD-based course materials, while the other sessions were taken by KBRO director Azly Yong Abdullah and his staff.
