Since independence, education has been at the heart of our nation-building efforts. Every Malaysian leader, from 1957 to the present day, has recognised that a dedicated, collective effort to educate every citizen is essential for fostering national unity, developing a skilled workforce, supporting economic growth, and promoting social mobility and civic engagement.
In this regard, Open University Malaysia has made an invaluable contribution to the country’s lifelong learning agenda. For 25 years, OUM has pioneered a distinctive path to academic qualifications, offering working adults the flexibility to study part-time, empowered by technological innovations. As Malaysia’s first full-fledged open university, OUM has educated and inspired over 250,000 learners, with more than 120,000 graduates from diverse fields.
This remarkable achievement is a triumph for all Malaysians whose lives have been transformed through the learning opportunities they have enjoyed at OUM. It is in honour of these individuals and their journeys that this coffee-table book has been created. It stands as a testament to their stories of perseverance, growth, and success, and a celebration of how ordinary Malaysians can achieve the extraordinary through the power of education.
I look forward to seeing how this university will continue to shape the future of our country, nurturing not only skilled professionals but also ethical, well-rounded citizens who will drive Malaysia forward.
My heartfelt congratulations to OUM on reaching its silver jubilee this 10 August 2025. May you continue to inspire and uplift future generations of Malaysians for many more years to come.
Education opens the mind and strengthens the nation. Open University Malaysia (OUM) was founded on the belief that higher education must serve the people. For 25 years, it has carried forward the national vision to expand access and promote flexible learning, in line with Malaysia’s higher education vision and long-term national aspirations.
With the support of the Government and the Ministry of Education at the time, OUM took shape as Malaysia’s first open and distance learning institution. Its establishment marked a new chapter in our education system. In 2001, the university partnered with the Ministry to implement the national teachership programme. Since then, it has become the country’s leading contributor to upgrading teachers’ qualifications. This remains one of OUM’s most enduring national contributions.
As Malaysia prepares for the future of work and learning, OUM continues to expand. It has broadened its offerings, embraced flexible delivery, and forged meaningful industry partnerships. Through this, it remains committed to reaching learners in ways that are both relevant and humanity-centric.
This coffee-table book commemorates OUM’s 25-year journey. It brings together stories, milestones, and reflections that capture the spirit of an institution built on purpose and sustained by service. The Ministry of Higher Education reaffirms its support for OUM’s efforts as it continues to strengthen our higher education system.
Congratulations on this meaningful milestone. May OUM continue to open doors and build futures with the same conviction that inspired its founding.
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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