| July 1999 |
Dato' Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik put forward the vision of a private, non-profit virtual
at the 28th Gerakan National Delegates Conference in Penang. |
| March 2000 |
The Gerakan Education Foundation - later renamed Wawasan Education Foundation (WEF)
in August 2002 - established as a tax-exempt charitable foundation. WEF received a substantial donation from the family of Yeap Chor Ee, a prominent
Penang tycoon and philanthropist. |
| June 2002 |
Eight experts in open and distance learning commissioned to prepare a detailed proposal for the establishment of
an Open and Virtual University of Malaysia (OVUM). The foundation received the report
in 2003. |
| July 2003 |
Yeap Chor Ee's grandson, Dato' Seri Stephen Yeap, announced that
"Homestead", the heritage Yeap family estate at Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Penang,
would be donated to serve as the main campus of the proposed virtual university. |
| January 2005 |
The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) invited WEF to plan for the setting up of
'Wawasan Open University College' (WOUC). |
| July 2005 |
WOUC officially established, with
Tan Sri
Emeritus Prof. Gajaraj Dhanarajan appointed as Vice Chancellor. 1st Council Meeting held. |
| August 2005 |
1st Management Board Meeting held. |
| January 2006 |
Groundbreaking ceremony held for the development of a new 12-storey tower to
offer additional administration and academic space for WOUC behind the heritage
"Homestead" mansion. 1st meeting of International Advisory Board held. |
| April 2006 |
WOUC signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Commonwealth of
Learning (COL) to facilitate the offering of the Commonwealth Executive MBA and
MPA (CeMBA/CeMPA) programmes by distance learning in Malaysia. |
| June 2006 |
WOUC formally registered under the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996. |
| July 2006 |
All relevant documents to upgrade the status of "Wawasan Open University
College" to "Wawasan Open University" (WOU) submitted to MOHE. WOU granted
university status by MOHE.
1st Senate Meeting held. |
| August 2006 |
WOU officially established and registered. |
| September 2006 |
WOU signed MoUs with the Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK), SIM University
of Singapore (UniSIM) and Yashwantrao Chavan Maharastra University of India (YCMOU)
to undertake joint initiatives in research, training and conferences; curriculum
and course development; course material design; credit transfer agreements and
support for research-based postgraduate study. WOU officially launched by Dato'
Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of Higher Education. |
| December 2006 |
Conservation and restoration of "Homestead" to serve as a distinctive
landmark began. |
| January 2007 |
Inaugural intake of 720 students, aged between 21 and 71 years. WOU signed
an MoU with the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) to increase cooperation
and optimise facilities for teaching and research. |
| May 2007 |
The Council endorsed nomination of Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, who served as Chief
Minister of Penang from 1969 to 1990, as WOU's first Chancellor. |
| July 2007 |
2nd semester of 652 students. |
| August 2007 |
Chancellor's Scholarship Fund launched. |
| September 2007 |
WEF presented the movie 'Road to Dawn' in Malaysia to raise money for the
scholarship fund. Filmed in Penang, this historical drama depicts Dr Sun Yat
Sen's life here and his planning of the "Guangzhou Uprising" in China in the
early 1900s. |
| November 2007 |
A bronze statue of Yeap Chor Ee was unveiled in front of the mansion in
honour of his substantial contribution to fund the running of private schools
and educational development in Penang. |
| December 2007 |
Development of WOU's main campus completed, comprising construction of the
12-storey Albukhary Building and restoration of the 'Homestead" heritage
mansion. |
| January 2008 |
The main campus officially launched by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato'
Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. 3rd semester of 913 students. |
| February 2008 |
Deputy Information Minister Dato' Seri Chia Kwang Chye launched 'Road to
Dawn' DVDs in Penang for public sale, with proceeds to benefit WOU Chancellor's
Scholarship Fund. |
| March 2008 |
WOU signed an MoU with the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers
(FMM) to facilitate tertiary education qualifications for the staff of FMM
members and allow their upward professional mobility. It also enables the
university to establish exchange programmes with FMM members, namely the
captains of industries. |
| April 2008 |
MoU signed with Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
for CIMA to award advanced standing credits to graduates of WOU's Bachelor of
Business in Accounting, while CIMA students and members who enrol for the
university's programmes also given advanced standing credits appropriate to
their level of attainment. |