WOU degrees unlock a bright career path

GEORGETOWN, Malaysia - Jan. 29, 2014 - PRLog -- Obtaining a university degree is a need nowadays if you want to get into the front door to land a good job, or to move up the employment ladder.

Recognising the need for working professionals to own a quality degree for career growth, Wawasan Open University (WOU) is offering 24 undergraduate degree programmes via Open Distance Learning (ODL). Workers can study online from their homes or anywhere, anytime while they continue in their jobs. This self-directed learning suits the busy worker who can manage studies according to one’s own convenience and obligations.

WOU has also expanded its student base with its inaugural offering of two On Campus Learning (OCL) full-time programmes – Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Accounting and Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Management – during the recent September intake, targeting fresh secondary school leavers and Diploma holders.

All WOU programmes are accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency and approved by the Ministry of Education. In addition, 11 ODL degree programmes are recognised by the Public Service Department (JPA) as well. They include Management, Banking & Finance, Accounting, and Sales & Marketing degrees from the School of Business and Administration (SBA), and Electronics, ICT and Electronic Commerce degrees from the School of Science and Technology (SST).

The SST also offers degree programmes in other specialised fields like construction management, telecommunications, multimedia design, and software engineering. The skills are in-demand considering the current need for technical knowledge to supervise, develop and/or manage construction sites, telecommunication devices, and websites.

Ong Thian Hao, 33, a sales engineer at a factory in Penang, is close to completing his Bachelor of Technology (Hons) in Electronics at WOU. He plans to use this professional certification to become an electronics engineer. “This programme helps me to become acquainted with the different aspects of electronics and electrical engineering.”

Meanwhile eight ODL degree programmes - including Corporate Administration and Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management - are available from SBA to help matured adults to study while they work.  There is also the full-time Management and Accounting degree programmes for fresh school leavers and diploma holders.

WOU’s Accounting degree, offered via ODL and OCL, is accepted by international professional accounting bodies, such as CPA Australia. Backed by such international recognition, students will receive course exemptions to enter the required professional examinations.

Lastly, the School of Education, Languages and Communications (SELC) offers Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English Studies and Bachelor of Education (Hons) in Primary Education (BEPE), while the School of Foundation and Liberal Studies provides valuable soft skills, critical thinking and logical reasoning with its two Arts degree programmes in Liberal Studies and in Psychology.

Dean of SELC Prof Santhiram Raman stated, “BEPE is strategically designed both to upgrade the knowledge of non-graduate Primary school teachers as an in-service programme, and also for new entrants into the profession. It equips teachers with pedagogical skills to be effective and efficient professionals in imparting numeracy, literacy and IT skills to primary school students.”

All WOU degree programmes are market-driven to offer the much-needed competency in building the nation’s knowledge economy and professional talent base.

Enrolment for the February 2014 OCL intake is still open.  Enrol today for the business degree programmes offered at the Main Campus, Penang.  New students can apply for the free WOU Study Grant before 4 February 2014 for the value of RM600 to subsidise their first semester studies.

Call the WOU toll-free Careline at 1-300-888-968 (WOU) or browse through wou.edu.my for programme and entry details.