The fourth Academic Tea-Talk was organised by the Centre for Quality Management and Research & Innovation (CQMRI) on 28 July 2005. Associate Prof Dr Latifah Abdol Latif, Director of Centre for Student Affairs and Associate Prof Dr Ahmad Hashem, Head of Information Communication Technology Services, presented two interesting topics.

Dr Latifah presented her research findings on Priority Satisfaction Survey: A Tool in Developing Effective Retention Strategies. She described the importance of effective retention strategies in order to ensure an institution’s stability and survival especially for Open and Distance Learning institutions such as OUM. Reflecting on the University’s strategic thrust, that is to consolidating internal group processes, including Retention Strategies, Dr Latifah outlined the importance and purpose of the study. The study identified priorities that learners place on the support services provided by OUM; determined learners’ level of satisfaction for each of the above services; determined the performance gap for each of the services, identified OUM’s strengths (high priority - high satisfaction) and weaknesses (high priority - low satisfaction), and recommended to the Management on areas that needed improvement.

Dr Ahmad Hashem presented on Web Searching - for Fun and Profit. and highlighted topics on Search Tools, Searching Strategies, Google Features and other issues related to the subject.

He gave insightful information for each topic and useful tips on how to better manage the web searching features, as well as how to fully utilise the web tools that are available on the net. He also gave various web sites, search tools, specialty searching sites and searching shortcuts to better facilitate the web searching process.