Tun Jeanne Abdullah
10 August 2050
To my dear OUM family in 2025,
I write to you from the year 2050. Twenty-five years into your future, OUM will have grown into a global leader in lifelong learning. Its reputation will be firmly established, synonymous with quality education that is accessible to all, empowering learners wherever they may be on their journey through life.
Single parents, working professionals, those who had to postpone their education, and even inmates seeking a second chance—so many people from all walks of life, each with a different story but the same goal: to build a better future for themselves, their families, and their loved ones.
Twenty-five years into your future, in my present time, a quarter of a million learners will have walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and even PhDs. Many will have gone on to do incredible things.
But perhaps what makes me most proud is witnessing the passion and heart that continue to drive OUM’s learners, educators, staff, and alumni. In an era where so much relies on technology and artificial intelligence, true heart and humanity have never been more important—or more rare.
Know that it is this very quality that will set you apart, standing tall among those who seek likes and followers rather than true human connection.
The choices you make today will define your future and bring my present into reality, so I offer this advice.
Stay true to your mission.
Be inspired, believe in yourself, and don’t be afraid to dream. You have taken a significant step, but it is important to remember, there will be many more steps ahead of you.
Take them one by one. Pause to appreciate the journey, and when you can, lend a hand to those struggling to climb their own path.
I wish all of you a life filled with meaning, happiness, and passion for your chosen journey. And always keep your heart open, so you may embrace the gift of joy and faith that life offers you and your loved ones.
My very best wishes,
Tun Jeanne Abdullah
Tun Jeanne Abdullah was OUM’s second Chancellor for almost 15 years, from 8 December 2007 to 7 December 2022. She now serves as Honorary Patron of OUM’s Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, championing its environmental, social, and philanthropic endeavours.
inspired is OUM’s not-for-profit popular journal on the 3Ps – practice, policy and philosophy – of open, distance, and digital higher education (ODDE). Published three times a year, it engages global scholars, policymakers, practitioners, learners, and other stakeholders, as well as a general readership seeking the latest insights and perspectives on ODDHE.
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