The new students of WOU were called to equip themselves with 21st century job skills through their full-time, on-campus learning (OCL) experience at the University.
PENANG REGIONAL CENTRE DIRECTOR TEH KIM KOW WELCOMES THE NEW STUDENTS.
Vice Chancellor Prof Dato’ Dr Ho Sinn Chye issued this challenge during the Orientation at the main campus today for about 25 full-time students from the February 2017 intake.
In his address, Prof Ho shared that graduates of WOU must acquire valuable 21st century job skills that make them readily employable. “The future-proof skills that are very much sought after by employers in this modern age are problem-solving, creative thinking, analytical thinking, communicate effectively, collaborate with partners, and ethics, action and accountability.”
PROF HO SHARES ON THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TAUGHT TO STUDENTS OF WOU..
He also gave pointers on what the students must do to succeed at WOU. “You need to be highly committed and responsible in your studies, first know what you want to achieve, and be dedicated goal-oriented individuals. Also be savvy in multi-tasking so that you can manage your time for study and other commitments.”
He continued, “Be motivated self-starters who complete assignments and projects, be forward thinkers who can innovate and be creative, as well as be a team player in your scholarly pursuit.”
ACADEMICS AND FRESHMEN LISTENING TO PROF HO.
Earlier in her welcoming remarks, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Madhulika Kaushik advised the freshmen to take charge of their studies and mark out their career path. She highlighted the learning support at WOU, including lecturers, academic advisors, the learning management system Wawasan2u, and the library.
She informed that WOU organises annual Career Fairs to help with employment and also arranges industrial training for the full-time students, where they are placed as interns with reputable organisations and companies in Penang and the northern region. “If you conduct yourself well, there is a very good chance of you being selected as an employee by the organisation where you trained, as our experience in the past years has shown.”
PROF MADHULIKA HIGHLIGHTS THE STUDENT SUPPORT AVAILABLE AT WOU.
She urged the new students to use their time in WOU to improve their language proficiency and boost their employability, adding that they should take full advantage of the arrangements the University has put in place for this.
Among those who attended the Orientation were Registrar Dr Andy Liew Teik Kooi, Deans of Schools, OCL coordinator Dr Chuah Poh Lean, Academic Advisors, and the staff of Penang Regional Centre (PGRC).
The new students were led in their oath-taking by Surendren Chandra Sagaran, 23, from Ayer Itam, Penang, who had enrolled in Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Management. He holds a Diploma in Hotel Management from a private college.
FRESHMEN TAKING THE STUDENTS’ PLEDGE AS THEY EMBARK ON THEIR STUDIES.
The Orientation also witnessed the recognition of six OCL students who had been named to the Dean’s List for their excellent academic results in the May 2016 semester. The recipients, all from the Management programme, were Melody Lim Chii Wen, Lau Sheue Wen, H’ng Ying Shan, Ivy Mak Choong Wei, Mitra Vani Sinnadurai and Danicia Hor Shuet Yi.
The day-long event also saw briefings given to the new students regarding MPU courses, WOU regulations and procedures, Wawasan2u, student portal, library services, social recreational activities and managing campus life.
