KUCHING – His Excellency The Governor of Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar, was paid a courtesy visit by the Open University Malaysia (OUM) delegation led by the OUM President, Prof. Dato’ Dr Ahmad Izanee Awang, at the Official Residence, Kasuma Resort, Petra Jaya, on 6 February with Her Excellency Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah binti Mohd Sanusi in attendance.
The gathering, which began at 10.00 am, was also attended by the governor’s daughter, Sharifah Fariah, and a number of top OUM representatives.
The delegation was headed by Prof. Dato’ Dr Ahmad Izanee Awang, President / Vice Chancellor of OUM, and Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr Md Tajuddin Md Ninggal, Vice President / Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Research).
Also in attendance were Assoc. Prof. Dr Hamidah Mat, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities; Ms Marlina binti Mahadzir, Senior Manager of Group Strategic Planning; Datin Shanti Achmad Ramly (OUM Alumni and Master in Islamic Studies Student); and Pn Hamimah binti Kipli, Centre Director of the OUM Kuching Learning Centre.
The visit was to update OUM’s recent endeavours in the field of higher education, especially those targeted at further enhancing human capital development in Sarawak.
The team also listed some programmes aimed at improving learning opportunities and increasing access to education around the state.
Open University Malaysia also tabled a proposal on a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative on Women’s Empowerment during the session.
The project aims to boost women in Sarawak who will have better chances to access education and professional training, contributing to social and economic advancement.
In his speech, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Haji Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said he lauded OUM’s contribution as a strategic education institution.
He emphasised flexible and open learning systems in addressing lifelong education, as such platforms are necessary to ensure that each stratum of society has access to academic progress.
He also added that he expected the cooperation and initiatives performed by OUM would continue to promote academic achievements and enhance quality of life, as well as sustainable human development.
He added that these initiatives are in line with Sarawak’s wider aspiration to create a smart, competitive and resilient populace.
The courtesy call further strengthened the strong collaboration between Sarawak and OUM, which share common goals towards educational development, as well as in the empowerment of the community.
The partnership promises to bring about an inclusive and innovative approach, which is likely to become a major part of the state’s long-term development objectives.
