Greetings lowyatians. I would like to join Wawasan Open University in this coming July 2010 intake but one thing makes me pondering about is the degree level in Wawasan Open University compared to other conventional colleges and universities in terms of "Distance Education" and "Traditional Lectures".

I've acknowledge that Open Universities graduates are valued for keeping their professional skills and academic up-to date, dedicated because they need to balance their life between family, career, and tertiary qualification. Not only that, they're also recognized for their effective time management and commitment. (Quote some from WOU website but is this some marketing gimmick to hook us in?)

How will employers judge us graduates from Open universities compared to conventional colleges? Are we having an advantage here or disadvantage?
I've done a lot of researches as well but I want inputs from the others before I make my move.

FYI, I will be taking Bachelor of Technology in Computer Systems and Networks (Hons) as stated in the WOU degree programme. I'm entitle to get 40 credits also known as 10 courses exempted based on my Diploma from KDU College Penang and my results as well, they claimed that it's only going to take around 3 years to finish up my degree. I'm 22 this year and working in an MNC currently.

Thank you in advance.


This post has been edited by [LinkZ]: Apr 28 2010, 03:30 PM

i would agree or disagree with that statement on time management.

this would entirely depend on the individual. there are people who are able to cope with everyday's work + family + study. where the pressure, stress n etc will always be there.

others are unable to cope with distractions. studying itself isn't easy as we're all competing against one another to score our highest, and at the same time, trying to cope and understand with the subjects.

in terms of studying...

distance learning/part-time learning encourages the students to take a maximum of 3 subjects in a semester. n the classes would be on weekends or at nite, only once a week per subject OR total study online. the main communication with the lecturers would be via email or messaging, hence... at most part, u're required to study n understand everything on your own.

traditional studying (university) usually allows the students to take up to 5-6 subjects for a long semester n 2-3 subjects for a short semester. the classes are usually 2 hours long, twice a week for each subject (depending on the credit hours). lecturers are usually available for consultations anytime on a daily basis n questions could be asked at any point of time.

each have its disadvantages n advantages of its own though. distance learning doesn't stop or put a halt into ur income and its extremely flexible. u can study at ur pace and take the subjects at ur own pace. if u're unable to sit for the examination in m'sia, like OUM allows u to sit for the exam in the country of ur residence at the m'sia embassy at the required time (i inquired earlier). u're usually given up to bout 8 years to complete the programme, which enables u to take subjects according to ur peak/low-peak period.

as for traditional learning, the disadvantages would be vice versa compared to distance learning. u're bound to a certain time of examinations, u're required to attend a commit to 80% class attendance, most institutions allows u to repeat once n resit the paper once only, subjects are offered according to ur semester (with minimal chance of differing. sunway hospitality school doensn't allow students to defer or split modules except for special cases).

therefore, think bout it carefully before u decide. for me, i've always been working n studying at the same time since i was a teen, so OUM n WOU is fine. i'm not sure bout u..

Hi djcarmen, thanks for the constructive and informative reply, I appreciate it.

One more question, how would employer judge open universities certs and conventional colleges degree. Will there be any difference? Is it a second class degree compared to the traditional degree?

that is a question u have to ask urself. are u confident enough to complete this programme n prove to others than a person with open uni certs are better than a conventional degree?

what i believe in is that... u can make it anywhere n be anyone u want to be, as long as u put ur heart n soul for it. there are nothing impossible only when u believe so. hope u get the inside meaning on this...

Hi djcarmen,

Thanks for the motivation, good luck to you too!

I might be taking the course too... XD

Just a bit question... from what i understand, i doesnt need to continue straight away to another semester after finishing 1...

So, is there a expire duration for taking the test ?

As far as I know, no expire duration, good luck, be my course mate

Hi there,

how many credit hour per semester that wawasan u allow us to take>

I'm not sure about the credit hour thingy tho, but as far as I know, wawasan let us register max 4 subjects per sem to cope up with studying and working, so, good luck

I would like to ask is Wawasan Open University acceptable internationally or just for local? due to i may want to apply for jobs in Singapore or other countries in future...

Between,if i want to take degree courses like Marketing, HR or Finance but partime,how long do i need to take to finish it,in the shortest and fastest time??

Hi there,

Speaking about Wawasan Uni are internationally recognized I'm actually not sure about that but I know that they're associated with the global organization including the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), and the Commonwealth Educational Media Center of Asia (CEMCA). They're also working with all other Open Universities globally. Besides that, it is also accredited by our Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA) of the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia.

Basically, a degree program that Wawasan Uni offers takes 5 years to complete, but if you have a diploma, you can apply for Advance standing/Credit transfer to an approximately 2 years. Results is a concern too if you're intending to apply for it.

That's it, good luck!

distance education, means we need to have a webcam in our home to listen lecture ?

Have to self learn, attend class 1 month once 3 hours class

To be blunt, Malaysian degrees are not well recognised overseas, let alone Malaysian open university degrees. If you are planning to work overseas, you must try to get a professional qualification which are recognised and accepted overseas.

For marketing, I would recommend the British based Chartered Institute of Marketing (http://www.cim.co.uk/home.aspx). "The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is a professional marketing body based in UK with over 50,000 members worldwide. Based in Cookham near Maidenhead, CIM offers professional development to marketing practitioners across the world. The objective of CIM is to raise the status of marketing onto a more professional and strategic level around the world."

For finance, you can look at the "Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a British accountancy body which offers the Chartered Certified Accountant (Designatory letters ACCA or FCCA) qualification worldwide. It is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing accountancy bodies with 140,000 members and 404,000 affiliates and students in 170 countries (as at April 2010)". (http://www.accaglobal.com/).

Or "The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) is a United Kingdom-based professional body offering training and qualification in management accountancy and related subjects, focused on accounting for business; together with ongoing support for members.

CIMA is one of a number of professional associations for accountants in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Its particular emphasis is on developing the management accounting profession within the UK and worldwide. CIMA is the largest management accounting body in the world." (http://www.cimaglobal.com/).

Or the UK based "The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) is an international professional membership body and a recognised authority on corporate governance." (http://www.icsa.org.uk/).

You can go through their foundation stages and many of their courses can be found at local private colleges in Malaysia where you can do them part time or in evening classes. Or if you complete your Open University degree, use it for advance standing to skip a stage or two towards professional qualifications (that is if the degree is recognised by the professional body and this you must check with them).

sorry to bump topic

i was going to take degree in Bachelor of Technology (Hons) in Computing and Intelligent Systems

i enquire before in WOU and now i wanna know possible a company hired a person Highest Education is Degree and second highest education is PMR

just curios.. btw any ppl taking CIS? if yes mind to share with me is this subject hard? i left study almost 9 years i keen to study back but i scare i unable to cope with the study.

any advise for me? i hope this study will bring me to the next level in career.

Saying something and doing something are totally two different thing, it's like comparing apples and oranges, what I can say is, it's not going to be an easy path, but fruitful for the future. When I attended the orientation day, the professor told us, a lot of their students dropped out and never came back after 1 or 2 semesters, they urged us and other future students not to give up. Good luck.

This post has been edited by [LinkZ]: Sep 13 2010, 07:30 PM

well my bro said that Open U is for someone who have diploma background else is a very hard way to catch up the study

Well, I have a diploma but I would say it's totally down to that person attitude and determination. But it might be a little tough if you're not from IT background education previously, and furthermore, you need to study by your own mostly even though they are classes and lecturers. Not to hamper you with all these discouragement but if you want something, then go get it. Studying is never a wrong path. Trust me.

This post has been edited by [LinkZ]: Sep 16 2010, 07:31 AM

A short comment from me..

It's all about the time management and how you bring yourself during the interview.

well i currently self study from google from web designing and i love web programming but the problem is my maths isn't that good enough... as my brother itself is a programmer i wish he could help me on the study when i need help and advise but too bad all the subjects from WOU is totally different from what he study next time..

i'm keen on it but what i worried is i couldnt catch up the study since i left my study for 9 years.. i also dowan to study halfway and quit is totally wasting time