Counselling Training Workshop for Tutors of OUM Regional and Local Learning Centres
A training session for Tutors was conducted on 6 – 7 August 2005 with the theme of Enhancing Learners’ Study Skills. Participants comprised OUM tutors in and around Klang Valley.

The Centre for Student Affairs (CSA) organised a half-day Quality Awareness Campaign on 10 August 2005 at the Main Campus. Seven CSA staff were briefed on the basics of Quality Management Precepts by Prof Dr Nirwan Idrus from the Unit for Quality Management of CQMRI. The session was followed by discussions on various implementation action plan and the next course of actions in implementing the quality programmes in the department for the next one and- a-half year.

CSA plans to obtain ISO 9001:2000 certifications by the third quarter of 2006. According to its plans, CSA will develop all the required

documentations by the end of this year, after which it gives the staff six months to fully implement the set processes and procedures until June 2006. The auditors may be invited to take a look at the systems by July 2006.

As a follow-up to the inaugural workshop for the University learning centres, property management and student affairs departments that was held at OUM Regional Learning Centre in Seremban , Negeri Sembilan on 5 July 2005, the workshop was very useful and timely as it sets the tone for introducing and implementing quality management in CSA while at the same time addressing issues and concerns.

CIDT - Third department in OUM audited by SIRIM QAS
by Nazrai Ahmad Zabidi, Executive, Centre for Quality Management and Research & Innovation
A compliance audit was conducted by SIRIM auditors on the Centre for Instructional Design and Technology (CIDT’) for Printed Materials on 15 - 16 August 2005. Prof Madya Dr Zoraini Wati Abas, Director of CIDT, Mazlan Zulkifli, Management Representative, and Dzulkarnain Ramli, Assistant Manager participated in the audit. The Lead Auditor was quite pleased with the documentation from all units especially the unit for operations and logistics located in Serdang. From the auditing session, CIDT received only a number of minor Non Conformities (NC) which were being addressed accordingly. It is hoped that within 2 months following the said audit, SIRIM would confer the MS ISO 9001:2000 certification to CIDT. Let us wish all the best to CIDT in its endeavour to attain this certification.

September 2005 Students Orientation - Kembara ODL
Another round of orientation for the new students was held on 28 August 2005. The Kembara ODL programme which was organised by the Klang Valley Regional Learning Centres included talks and briefing on the University, further insights on Open and Distance Learning and other issues related to the learning expectations for an OUM student.