OUM Today - Issue 9 - January/February 2005

The Regional Learning Centre (PPW) Perak and OUM Club co-organised an expedition to Royal Belum Rainforest on 24th – 27th December 2004 as part of the carnival launched by YBhg Prof Tan Sri President in Ipoh on 18th December 2004. The expedition was launched by YB Dato’ Prof Dr Wan Hashim Wan Teh, Member of Parliament Gerik who also participated in the expedition with 40 other participants. The expedition covered the southern area of Royal Belum Rainforest where numerous activities were organised including discovering the rafflesia, bamboo bridge crossing, night fishing and tele-match with the Jahai tribe. The rainforest covers a total of 290,000 hectares including the Temenggor Lake.

discovering the rafflesia, bamboo bridge crossing, night fishing and Discovering the Rafflesia and many types of wild plants including the Tongkat Ali and Kacip Fatimah and medicinal herbs was a wonderful experience. The participants were entertained by the Jahai tribe with ‘sewang’, a traditional dance where women played the instruments made out of bamboo whilst the others dance. On the final day, the group visited Syra (Salt Lick), a small sulphur lake and hot springs where animals drink the salt water. There were signs that elephants, tigers, panthers and kijang had been recent visitors. For those who love nature and the wild forest, the Royal Belum Rainforest is a ‘must’ destination.

Editor's note

Greetings and a warm hello to all our readers.

As a famous Chinese saying goes: The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. OUM took its first step in 2001 when it admitted its first batch of 753 students. It has not looked back since. With the January intake for 2005 the number of students stands at nearly 30,000. OUM is targeting 100,000 students by 2010, achieving mega university status and joining the ranks of other mega open universities of the world.

This should be the mission of every one in the OUM family, be they students or staff. Let us focus and move forward to achieve this mission, leaving no stone unturned in terms of quality, service and commitment.

Our beloved President YBhg Prof Tan Sri Datuk Dr Anuwar Ali, in his New Year message to a staff gathering on 17th January 2005 urged each and every staff to work harder, have a very positive work culture and to remember always our shared values.

To cap it all, the National Accreditation Board (LAN) of the Ministry of Higher Education has given its approval to five programmes offered by OUM, with many more under consideration. It would just be a matter of time before OUM gets full accreditation for all its programmes. Congratulations to those who have worked very hard to achieve the accreditation!

We hope all of you had a good break to usher in the Lunar New Year and Awal Muharam. Both celebrations marked the beginning of new years for the Chinese and Muslims respectively. How auspicious indeed!

May God bless us all!

Happy Reading

Publications Committee

Advisor
YBhg Prof Tan Sri Datuk Dr Anuwar Ali

Chief Editor
Prof Dr Ansary Ahmed

Editor
Puan Meilina Puteh
meilinaputeh@oum.edu.my

Writer
Cik Rahayu Sri Kirana Ahmat Adam

Members
Encik Repin Ibrahim
Prof Madya Dr Abtar Kaur
Prof Madya Dr Latifah Abdol Latif
Prof Madya Dr Zoraini Wati M Abbas
Encik Justin Chong
Puan Santhi Raghavan

Web Editor
Mohd Shampudin Hassan
webmaster@oum.edu.my

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