Wawasan Open University
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Established | 2006 |
| Location | , , |
| Colours | Light Green, and Dark Green |
| Affiliations | Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU),[2] ICDE[3] |
| Website | www |
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).
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
[edit]All WOU programmes are accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and approved by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). WOU achieved a Tier-5 or "Excellent" rating in the SETARA local university ranking exercise conducted by the MOE in 2011 and 2013.[7]
Campus
[edit]The university's main campus is located by the sea in the northeastern part of Penang Island, Malaysia. It consists of two buildings: the historic Homestead mansion and the modern 12-storey Al-Bukhary Building. Additionally, the city campus is situated in the heart of George Town, Penang. WOU also has regional centres in Johor Bahru and Kuching, along with regional offices in Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur, which provide support to distance learners in these cities and their surrounding areas.
Administration
[edit]Chief Executive and Vice Chancellor
[edit]Professor Dr. Lily Chan was appointed as the fourth Vice Chancellor of the university in April 2019. She succeeded Professor Dato’ Dr. Ho Sinn Chye, who departed from the university at the end of 2017. During the interim period, Professor Dr. Zoraini Wati Abas served as the Acting Vice Chancellor.
Chancellor
[edit]The prominent sports administrator and former president of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja'afar, was appointed as the fourth Chancellor of WOU in 2019, succeeding Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah, the former Chief Justice of Malaysia, who held the position for five years until December 2018.
Pro-Chancellor
[edit]Dato’ Dr. Lim Thuang Seng, a retired medical researcher and seasoned politician, was appointed as the second Pro-Chancellor of Wawasan Open University (WOU) in 2019, succeeding Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon, the former Chief Minister of Penang. Dr. Lim has been a prominent member of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan) since 1987 and held the position of Selangor State Executive Councillor for Health, Tourism, and Consumer Affairs from 2004 to 2008.
References
[edit]- ^ "Universiti Terbuka Wawasan". Malaysian Qualifications Register. MQA. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
- ^ "Full Members of Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU)". Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU). Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "Members of International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)". International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE). Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "Wawasan College to start enrolment soon - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
- ^ "Wawasan Open U opens doors on Jan 22 - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
- ^ "Full-time degrees a milestone for WOU". www.thesundaily.my. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
- ^ "Wawasan offering 10th anniversary rebates". BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News. 1 February 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
External links
[edit]
- Universities and colleges established in 2006
- Universities and colleges in Penang
- Open universities
- Business schools in Malaysia
- Information technology schools in Malaysia
- Distance education institutions based in Malaysia
- Buildings and structures in George Town, Penang
- 2006 establishments in Malaysia
- Private universities and colleges in Malaysia