WOU’s new full-time students were assured of comprehensive support from the University as they embarked on their academic journey, during the orientation held at the main campus today.
About 25 students had enrolled for full-time on-campus learning (OCL) for the February 2016 semester, including two pioneer students from Kulim, Kedah, in the Sales & Marketing degree programme.
NEW STUDENTS ATTENDING ORIENTATION AT THE MAIN CAMPUS.
Vice Chancellor Prof Dato’ Dr Ho Sinn Chye, in his welcoming remarks, reminded the freshmen of the huge sacrifices being made by their parents to give them the best education possible. Therefore as students, he said, they should repay their parents by studying hard and graduating in good time. “We are here to guide and support you in your academic journey in WOU,” he reiterated.
He shared the good news that some seniors from the inaugural September 2013 batch will be graduating this year. “As students of WOU, your main role is not to be a bookworm but to develop your personal soft skills along the way as well. Join and participate actively in events organised by our student body.”
Prof Ho continued, “Make full use of your time in class by discussing and interacting with your lecturers so that you become more informed and more enlightened. Challenge your lecturers with sensible questions. Supplement your learning by obtaining more knowledge from the Internet. In this day and age, you can find any knowledge you want through a clever search of the Internet. ”
PROF HO ENCOURAGES THE STUDENTS TO STUDY HARD.
He offered three take-away messages to the freshmen: “Get to know your classmates, form small study groups and maintain that relationship throughout your study at WOU. Get to know your Academic Advisors and get as much guidance from them as possible. Familiarise yourself with Wawasan2U, our web based learning management portal.”
Meanwhile Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic-OCL) Prof Mohandas Menon highlighted that WOU’s student counsellor, Academic Advisors as well as staff from the Penang Regional Centre (PGRC), Registry and the Schools are there to support them. He mentioned that the Malaysian Qualifications Agency often cites a lack of soft skills in students, adding that WOU does not just emphasise on classroom teaching but also on improving their communication skills, attitude and thinking, to facilitate job placements.
PROF MOHAN ADVISES THE FRESHMEN TO DEVELOP SOFT SKILLS.
Earlier the new students were welcomed by PGRC director Teh Kim Kow, and they participated in the oath-taking led by Yamuna Thangavellu.
Among those who attended the opening session of the orientation were Deputy Dean of the School of Business & Administration Prakash Arumugam and his team, and the PGRC staff.
PRAKASH SHARES ABOUT THE BUSINESS DEGREE PROGRAMMES.
The freshmen subsequently had briefings on WOU’s Regulations and Procedures, the Library services, the learning management system Wawasan2u, the full-time degree programmes, the social recreational activities and on managing campus life.
