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Expending access to higher education opportunities via international collaboration : the Open University Malaysia approach
Get PDFThe concept that education can cross borders is inherently linked to open and distance learning (ODL). Its very foundation is borne out of the necessity to expand educational access and opportunities, which in this 21st Century is an increasingly crucial issue, especially in facing global challenges, boosting economic progress and keeping abreast with rapid expansion in information and communication technology (ICT). The importance of higher education in contributing to economic development is universally acknowledged, and is all the more significant for developing countries like Cambodia and Malaysia. The relevance of ODL lies in the reality that the limited resources and facilities of traditional higher education providers have rendered them unable to cope with today’s growing demands. However, the unique ODL approach has proven to be a feasibly way for a more accessible, affordable and flexible means for a greater number of people to attain higher education. The ODL scene in Asia is fast evolving, with a number of established and prominent open universities in Indonesia, Thailand, India, China and other countries. This indicates ODL’s great potential in contributing to economic development by meeting relevant national needs. Furthermore, the open nature of ODL has also paved the way to international collaboration, where learning opportunities are open to every individual, regardless of location or nationality. This paper will consider the idea of education across borders and discuss international collaboration as a means to expand higher education. From the perspective of Open University Malaysia (OUM), this paper will also discuss how the ODL approach can play a pivotal role in advancing the very concept of partnerships in higher education. Finally, this paper will also briefly explore potential opportunities in creating collaborative higher education links between Cambodia and Malaysia. (Abstract by author
Keynote Address by Professor Emeritus Anuwar Ali in International Conference on Contemporary Issues in Hospitality, Restaurant and Tourism Management, Jan 2014
Get PDFA keynote address by YBhg Prof Tan Sri Anuwar Ali in International Conference on Contemporary Issues in Hospitality, Restaurant and Tourism Management on 24 January 2014 at Treston International College, Taguig, The Philippine
Attributes of School Leaders towards Achieving Sustainable Leadership: A Factor Analysis
No full textA principal plays a very important role in deciding the direction and success of a school. Whether a school is dynamic is dependent upon the skills and abilities of the principal. In order to be excellent, the principal must be in possession of an excellent character. Therefore, the selection and promotion of school principals should be conducted through a meticulous and objective procedure. The entire process must be reviewed in order to ensure the quality and high standard of national education. Selection according to seniority or competency in work performance through evaluation of management and administrative skills, which is the current practice, may not be suitable for the enhancement of the leadership of principals. This study was conducted to identify and affirm the conceptual framework and attributes of school leaders (principals) needed to achieve leadership sustainability and school excellence. The exploratory factor analysis method was employed for the purpose of this study and was implemented in three stages. The sample population comprised primary and secondary school teachers. Through this study, it was found that there were five important traits or attributes which a school leader or principal must possess in order to make a school excellent. These five attributes are: (i) integrity, which has the sub-attributes of being principled and humble; (ii) forward looking, which has the sub-attributes of strategic catalyst and mind motivator; (iii) inspirational, which has the sub-attributes of supportive and influential; (iv) competent, which has the sub-attributes of task competency (there are two components, namely, action-oriented and sociability as well as emotional and spiritual competency); and (vi) self-efficacy. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT
The teaching and learning of Mathematics via online : sharing a lifelong learning experience at Open University Malaysia
Get PDFToday many working adults opted to pursue their dreams of getting a degree through open and distance learning (ODL)
mode of studies. This is because the ODL option allows them the flexibility to study without having to leave their jobs or
families behind. However, the flexibility in such learning mode means that learners have to depend on online support or
other assistance for their extended learning. Mathematics, a traditionally difficult course, forms part of the pre-requisite
for learners to obtain a business degree at Open University Malaysia (OUM). The majority of learners at OUM are adult
learners who have left school for at least five years and most of them have low grades in Mathematics prior to embarking
on their journey. Thus it is a big challenge for these adult learners to undertake a compulsory Mathematics course via
online with minimum Face-to-Face contact with their tutors. A system of coaching ODL learners to understand and learn
mathematics was developed known as the Online Supplemental Instruction (OSI) model at OUM. It involves the use of
math video clips developed and posted on YouTube and organized in a web blog to assist learners. Mentoring was carried
out via OUM’s online discussion forum available in OUM’s learner management system known as myVLE. This paper
shares the award winning Lifelong Learning experience of developing the OSI model of teaching math via online and
feedback obtained from learners who have used it successfully. (Abstract by author
Quality Assurance in Open and Distance Learning: Strategies and Approaches from the Perspective of Open University Malaysia
Get PDFOver the last several decades, higher education in many countries has been significantly
transformed; with various new institutions established and many novel academic
programmes now on offer. This is a common worldwide development; reflecting the
universal focus on higher education as a national investment for economic progress and
building human capital. This rapid growth and expansion are accompanied by an equal
concern for quality, particularly in an environment where private higher education
entities, including open universities and open and distance learning (ODL) institutions,
are becoming prominent providers of learning opportunities for the masses. In this
regard, ensuring quality is critical, as ODL has become synonymous with educating
working adults – individuals who, as members of a nation’s labour force, are
instrumental to national development. Additionally, the increasing influence of
information and communication technology (ICT) on educational practices has also
called for more rigorous and stringent quality assurance (QA) systems and procedures.
QA is important as a means to establish standards and accountability; ensure learner
satisfaction; and enhance institutional image and prestige. As Malaysia’s premier open
university, Open University Malaysia’s (OUM) understanding of QA stems from a holistic
institutional approach that emphasises learner-centredness. This keynote address will
discuss the strategies and approaches that OUM has adopted to create a QA system that
complies with existing national guidelines, while exploring the development of a quality
concept that is suited to the unique nature of ODL. This paper will also discuss how
benchmarking and adopting best practices can contribute to a more well-rounded
approach that can benefit open universities and other higher education institutions
across the region. (Abstract by author
Influence of growth need strength on the relationship between predictors and job satisfaction among state registered nurses at selected General Hospitals (Abstract and Table of Content)
Get PDFThe psychological well-being for State Registered Nurses [SRN] is determined to a large extent by that person’s satisfaction with the individual experience of job satisfaction. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the influence of Growth Need Strength [GNS] between predictor variables consists of individual attribute (self-esteem), job-related variables (job characteristics and career salience), non job-related variables (overall life satisfaction, family satisfaction and work-family conflict) and job satisfaction among 390 of SRN’s at selected General Hospitals. After stratified random sampling, descriptive statistical was used to describe the population in this study and analyses the respondent’s level of job satisfaction. Pearson correlation indicates there is significant relation between study variables except the components of self-esteem and work-family conflict with GNS. Based on six hypotheses, the major findings in this study indicate that for the result of linear regression showed that all predictor variables significantly influence job satisfaction. On hierarchy regression result, GNS does not play moderating roles between individual attribute variable and job satisfaction also job related-variables and job satisfaction. However, GNS moderates the relationship between non job-related variables and job satisfaction. The finding of the study contributes in the specific area of literature, theory and also in research design. The results of this study suggest that the GNS as moderator have played significant important role between predictor variables and job satisfaction. The implication of this study that the policy maker should not instead of merely focusing on individual attribute and job-related variables as the only factors for SRN’s to be concerned about, indeed they also must pay attention to other factors, such as the selected non – job related variables as potential sources of providing a much better conducive working environment and by incorporating policies that can improve job satisfaction. [ABSTRACT BY AUTHORS
A MOBILE PLATFORM FOR LOCATION-BASED SERVICE APPLICATIONS USING AUGMENTED REALITY: ONLINE MAP, TRACKING AND NAVIGATION ON GOOGLE ANDROID SMARTPHONE DEVICE (TOC, Abstract, Chapter 1 and Reference only)
Get PDFThis project paper is about Augmented Reality (AR) using location-based visualization and
implementation on the smartphone devices. That is partly because smartphone comes packed with built-in
sensors have grown and become popular over the years. This will explore the interactive and interaction
Location Based Services that AR allows on Android devices. The use of mobile applications and
advancement in mobile technology such as Global Positioning System (GPS), compass and accelerometer
sensors are able to identify and determine the location and orientation of the device, location-based
applications with augmented reality views are possible. AR combines the real world with virtual, the
integration of information in the user's environment in real time, the user interaction techniques of
representing rich, intuitive information data of the real world. The AR application which typically takes
the image of the integrated camera, positioning location as a representation of the real world and project
objects on top of this image to create the AR view. The research was initiated by exploring and reviewing
literature related domain and existing AR application available on Android devices. There are a number
of AR applications available and the rapid development of Android smartphone devices has provided an
improved platform for the application of mobile AR technologies. Developing application will help the
researcher explore the topic while going through this technology. The aim of this study is to develop a
combination of location-based information and AR features by blending both visual, map-based and nonmap
based elements like live projection of a nearby landmark on camera preview on mobile devices,
utilizing free and open source software development tools. In the context of this paper a prototype
application, based on the Android platform and Mixare engine library is developed. This paper showed
the initial thoughts on this application and overall process that leads to the final system development. This
report describes MyARTGuide, a prototype application of augmented reality designed to be run over
Android based smartphone. The user can now look through their phone as if taking a picture to look at the
augmented world which leads to a better user experience. MyARTGuide is developed for experiment,
simulation and to test the AR functionality of these project objectives is not a fully functional product.
Thus, there are still more areas that can be improved and new features can be added. With the use of AR
and Andorid technology it is possible to spread the experience which will be shown in this report. (ABSTRACT BY AUTHOR
Minimization of Internet Service Providers' inability to control peer-to-peer traffic by using peer-to-peer and software defined network based web search engine (TOC, Abstract, Chapter 1 and Reference only)
Get PDFLifelong learning for inmates
Get PDFLifelong learning could not only be learnt by the
public but also by inmates in prisons. Open University
Malaysia (OUM) had given the opportunity to inmates in
Sekolah Integriti Kajang (SIK), Kajang Prison to obtain
higher education in their fields of interest. As a university,
OUM emphasized on the concept of Service to Society –
not only to the public but also to inmates in prison. All this
while, a stigma exists; the inmates have no place in the
society and their future is assumed to be bleak.
Nevertheless, the perception is changed after collaboration
between OUM and the Prison Department of Malaysia.
This had given the inmates a learning opportunity in
pursuing their studies from the first degree to the master’s
degree. Being a university that focused on online learning,
OUM had provided a flexible learning system to the
inmates. Hence, they were able to follow the courses in the
programs offered to them. The role played by OUM in
offering the education programs mark significant efforts in
changing the path for inmates to lead productive lives in
society. This had enabled a change in the society’s
perception towards the inmates in leading a better future
after life in prison. The impact of education is especially
evident in prison. Rigorous study gives prisoners the
intellectual leverage they need to revise their views of
themselves and leave prison better equipped to contribute
positively to their families and communities. Studies have
shown that those released prisoners who received an
education had a significantly lower rate of recidivism. (Abstract by author
Assessing the Relationship Between Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction in the Malaysian Automotive Insurance Industry
Get PDFGlobalization and open market system have created the complex competitive environment not only
for the manufacturing sector but also for the service sector. The necessity to own a car coupled with affordable
prices across the globe due to innovative production cost in the automotive industry has surged in the last two
decades. Every car owner is legally bound to have car insurance, be it in the developed countries or developing
countries. By servicing their customer base with superior and professional service, many insurance companies
are able to reap a huge profit. Satisfying their customer is essential in every service industry and since these
issue plays a critical role for the insurance companies, assessing the relationship between service quality and
customer satisfaction can help managers to meet the needs’ of customer better by providing superior service.
The main aim of this study is to assess the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction in
the Malaysian Automotive Insurance industry. A total of 650 online structured questionnaires were mailed to
respondents from five car insurance directories and 380 respondents replied to the questionnaire. Data collected
were analyzed using Pearson Correlation and Multiple Regression Analysis. The results indicate that good
relationship exists between service quality dimensions (reliability, empathy, assurance, responsiveness and
tangibility) and customer satisfaction. This study could benefit other financial service companies to gauge and
enhance their customer satisfaction level with improved service performance. (Abstract by authors