"When OUM first came to Sabah in 2001, we started out with 61 learners-50 in the Sabah Learning Centre and 11 in the Tawau Learning Centre," says Lamjin Atoh, the director of the learning centres, who also oversees the Sandakan Learning Centre, set up in 2003, and the learning centres in Keningau and Labuan, which were established in 2007.

"Attaining the PhD has given me the confidence to delve into bigger things in life, like giving motivational talks and volunteering. Prior to my PhD, I felt inadequate and unqualified to do these things'" says Voon, who teachers at SMK Kuching Town No.2 in Kuching.

"It took away the hassle of manually tracking patients' record and inventory, which ultimately, contributed to increased productivity."

In short, OUM has created a rich learning environment that provides the variety necessary to meet the different learning styles and constraints for adult learners.

"Students meet with tutors for face to face tutorials several times throughout the semester and they also have the benefit of learning from their peers"

We do not think twice when sending an SMS because our phones have become like an extra limb, and the messaging system is a function that we do automatically. However, Open University Malaysia (OUM) has capitalised on the common and widely used Short Messages Services (SMS) to connect with their students and to help foster a sense of belonging with the university.

"Program ini selaras dengan misi OUM untuk meluaskan akses pendidikan berkualiti, membangunkan kemahiran pakar serta memberi peluang pendidikan sepanjang hayat kepada tenaga kerja sedia ada di dalam industri pendidikan."

"Perkembangan OUM sejak penubuhan sepuluh tahun yang lepas memanglah menakjubkan. OUM terbukti mampu menjadi pemangkin dalam usaha melahirkan generasi berilmu pada depan ekoran prestasi program-program di bawah kendaliannya yang terbukti praktikal dan mesra pelajar."

Perubatan asli adalah satu cara terapi termasuk perubatan herbal, homeopati, dan perubatan tradisional Cina yang kian popular.

"However, other programs will be established in the future and the subjects will be taught bilingually (in English and Mandarin)," he said after a visit by a 15-member delegation from TNMO, here, today.