The Centre for Research and Innovation (CeRI) is a functional unit in the organisation of Wawasan Open University. It is placed directly under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor. Comprising the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Head of CeRI, Deans and a Representative from each School, the CeRI committee is responsible for overseeing and managing the activities related to Research and Innovation in the University.
Chair: Prof Dr Lily Chan, Chief Executive and Vice Chancellor
Head of CeRI: –
Members:
- Mr Prakash V Arumugam, Dean, School of Business and Administration (SBA)
- Assoc Prof Dr Thomas Chow Voon Foo, Dean, School of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences (SEHS)
- Dr Teoh Ping Chow, Representative from the School of Science and Technology (SST)
- Ms Jasmine Emmanuel, Head of Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS)
- Assoc Prof Dr Balakrishnan Muniapan, Representative from SBA
- Assoc Prof Dr Dewi Amat Sapuan, Representative from SBA
- Dr Por Fei Ping, Representative from SEHS
- Dr Lee Heng Wei, Representative from the School of Digital Technology (DiGiT)
- Dr Andrew Tan Kian Lam, Representative from DiGiT
- Mr Lee Shik Kee, Representative from Finance
- To continuously develop, enhance and innovate the Research and Innovation Capacity Building of Academic Staff, Infostructure and Infrastructure of the University.
- To diligently administer and manage all activities pertaining to research and innovation so as to always be up-to-date with current international developments and practices.
- To take initiatives in collaborating and establishing partnerships in research and innovation-related activities with the Ministry of Education, as well as various public and private universities, industries, NGOs, and international organisations.
Objectives of CeRI
1. To encourage and motivate WOU faculty to apply for internal and external research grants, as well as publish and present their research outputs in indexed journals, book chapters, books and conferences / proceedings.
2. To develop the infrastructure and infostructure required to support and facilitate such activities.
3. To establish the university’s research priorities and direct staff’s attention to areas of high potential in order to catalyse further development.
4. To develop and review as necessary the university policy in terms of research, development and innovation, especially in areas of academic specialisations offered by each School, technology-assisted and mediated teaching-learning, and where applicable, the patenting of research outcomes of commercial value.
5. To receive, thoroughly screen and approve internal and external research grant applications.
6. To identify and determine mechanisms for disseminating information on research matters to university community.
7. To evaluate, review and approve projects that will further enhance scholarship amongst academic staff and develop professional networks by organising well-planned courses, seminars, workshops, etc.
8. To carefully consider, recommend and approve applications for conferences and other meetings related to the research projects.
9. To seek and source for research grants and funding from external sources according to the priorities identified by the university.
10. To encourage WOU faculty to actively participate in collaborative research projects both at national and international levels.
The following are some of the research areas that can be undertaken by WOU faculty members:
A) ODL Research Areas
Macro-Level: ODL Systems & Theories
- Access, equity and ethics of ODL
- Globalisation of education and cross-cultural aspects
- Education delivery systems and institutions
- Theories and models of ODL
- Research methods in ODL and Knowledge Transfer
Meso-Level: Management, Organisation and Technology
- Management and Organisation
- Costs and Benefits
- Educational Technology
- Innovation and Change
- Professional Development and Faculty Support
- Learner Support Services
- Quality Assurance
Micro-Level: Teaching and Learning in ODL Environment
- Instructional Design
- Interaction and Communication in Learning Communities
- Learner Characteristics
B) Academic specialisation areas of respective schools.
The following are some of the research grants that can be applied by WOU faculty members:
University Grants
CeRI Grants
- Main grant
- Incentive grant
National Grants
- Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS)
- Prototype Development Research Grant Scheme (PRGS)
- Long Term Research Grant Scheme (LRGS)
- Public-Private Research Network (PPRN)
- Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commissions Research Grant (MCMC Grants)
- Yayasan Inovasi Nasional
- Post- Covid 19 Special Grant – MOE
- MSC Research and Development Grant Scheme
- National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Grant
Industry Grants
- Malaysia Toray Science Foundation Grants
- Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Grants
- MSC Research and Development Grant Scheme
- INTEL Research Grants
- Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Grants
- Malaysia Technology Development Corporation (MDEC) Grants
International Grants
- The Sumitomo Foundation
- The Spencer Foundation
- The Human Capital and Education for Asian Development (HEAD) Foundation
- UNESCO Research Grant
- International Foundation for Science – Research Grants for Individuals
- Worldwide Research Grants (http://aripd.org/aripd/index/worldwide_research_grants)
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