The Open University Malaysia (OUM) is not only a leader in Open Distance Learning in the country but is also set on getting itself known overseas. At the recent SEAAIR 2004 Annual Regional Conference from 21-23 September 2004, co-organized by the South East Asian Association for Institutional Research, Wenzhou University and the Wenzhou Bureau of Education, OUM sent a team comprising its President, Senior Vice-President and senior academic staff to participate.

The major purpose of the South East Asian Association for Institutional Research is to benefit, assist and advance research leading to improved understanding, planning and operations of institutions of post-secondary education in the region.

Professor Tan Sri Datuk Dr Anuwar Ali, the President and Vice- Chancellor of OUM presented the keynote address on “Higher Education in the 21st Century: Issues and Challenges.” Among others, the President addressed the need for institutions of higher learning to be aware of issues that surround them as a result of the Information Age and the challenges that they face or risk being obsolete. These issues and challenges are largely centred on the fact that the world today has been significantly impacted by the digital revolution resulting in the globalization of education. The keynote address highlighted three major sets of issues and

challenges faced by academic leaders and administrators in the education industry as institutions move forward and strive to be selfsustaining institutions. YBhg Prof Tan Sri Datuk Dr Anuwar Ali identified three groups of issues and challenges that were further deliberated during the conference viz:

Issue	:	“The human capital is a function of education”
Challenge	:	Providing a “learner-centred curriculum” to “produce learning”
Issue	:	Globalization and the Global University
Challenge	:	Establishing a quality Global University with an internationally relevant curriculum
Issue	:	Education for all and lifelong learning
Challenge	:	Providing for open and distance learning

YBhg Prof Tan Sri President added that in the quest to further improve services to learners, OUM had conducted preference-satisfaction surveys to determine which of its support systems needed further improvements. Generally, even though OUM is a relatively new university, learners are on the whole satisfied with the services that have been provided.

However, this does not mean that OUM must be complacent. It has to build on its present strengths. As a private university, OUM needs to be entrepreneurial and innovative in order to ensure continual selfsustainability. YBhg Prof Tan Sri President noted that in this regard, OUM has to be forward-looking in mapping its strategies to sustain capability in providing high quality education to its learners while at the same time remain viable and competitive. He believes that OUM has what it takes to be considered as an entrepreneurial university in the true sense of the word.

In an effort to encourage all staff of OUM to internalise its five shared values of caring, dedication, integrity, innovativeness and professionalism, YBhg Prof Tan Sri Anuwar Ali, President/Vice- Chancellor launched a booklet detailing OUM’s vision and mission, its work culture and shared values.

The launch took place on 28th October 2004 at a staff gathering organised by the Centre for Quality Management and Research & Innovation. YBhg Prof Tan Sri emphasized the need to instil work values and quality work culture in all OUM’s daily activities. It was timely to have the booklet to remind all staff as they move forward together. The noble work culture and values perpetuated in the booklet will not only create an institution of world class standard but an institution recognised for its quality services and products.

The launch was followed by a talk by Encik Mazlan Musa, a consultant in quality services who further emphasized the need for a quality work culture and positive values to generate a workforce to be proud of in the future. This vision, once achieved, will form the backbone of success to OUM.