OUM Today - Issue 19 - January 2006

Foster team spirit - that was the ultimate message the Chief Executive Officer of
METEOR Group conveyed to all METEOR Group staff members
in his New Year 2006 Speech.
On 6 January, YBhg Prof Tan Sri Datuk Dr Anuwar Ali, in a special gathering with all the staff of the METEOR Group emphasised the importance of team spirit to obtain the objectives in the coming months ahead. "Team spirit should be given priority because the input given from each staff or department is essential to achieve our objectives in the year 2006. Our staff should be flexible and able to conduct other tasks given or multi-tasking without being calculative and selfish in performing their responsibilities."

He stressed the continued success of METEOR is attributed to the quality of work produced by the staff. "To me, the quality of an individual is reflected by his or her positive values. This means that honesty and integrity attributes should be unquestionable. When this happens, we are confident that the individual will perform well, be more organised, disciplined and responsible and will not disappoint the Management."

An authority in the world of Open and Distance Learning, Sir John, who is also the President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth of Learning (COL), visited the Main Campus on 5 January 2006.

Accompanied by YBhg Prof Tan Sri Datuk Dr Anuwar Ali, President/Vice-Chancellor; YBhg Prof Ansary Ahmed, Senior Vice-President and YBhg Prof Dr Mansor Fadzil, Vice-President (Technology), Sir John visited the Centre for Instructional Design & Technology (CIDT), Learner Service Centre (LSC) and Tan Sri Dr Abdullah Sanusi Digital Library. He was briefed earlier on the progress of the University.

Subsequently, OUM top management and Sir John discussed on how to improve our delivery system and highlighted the importance of hiring qualified and competent tutors.

During the visit, OUM and Sir John reminisced about the establishment of an Open University in Malaysia. OUM has maintained good

collaboration with UK Open University (UKOU) since 1999.

Sir John had given his input in the development of concept paper and delivery model. OUM had consulted from UKOU to provide feedback on quality of our modules.

OUM hopes that both institutions will maintain close contact to further improve our delivery system. OUM is also looking forward to Sir John�s visit to the campus this April. In conjunction with the upcoming visit, a talk will be organised. The purpose of the visit is to share knowledge on Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in the country.

Sir John is currently at Canada-based COL, an intergovernmental organisation that is created by Commonwealth Heads of Government to encourage the development and sharing of ODL education knowledge, resources and technologies.