%0 Conference Paper
%A Anuwar Ali, 
%A Open University Malaysia (OUM),
%B The 23rd Annual Conference of Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU)
%C Tehran, Iran
%D 2009
%F library_repository:303
%K Open and distance learning (ODL) ; Quality education 
%P 51-64
%T Open and Distance Learning (ODL) as a Viable  Provider of Quality Higher Education: The Case of  Open University Malaysia (OUM)
%U https://library.oum.edu.my/repository/303/
%X With today’s highly intense international competition, countries, particularly those in the  developing world, have no choice but to turn to education to enhance the productive capability of their  human capital in order to remain competitive and sustainable. With the current global economic crisis,  this task has become even more urgent and pertinent. In this regard, open and distance learning (ODL)  has gained increasing acceptance as a provider of quality education to the masses in these countries.  This paper shares the experience of Open University Malaysia (OUM) as the first and foremost ODL  University in Malaysia in providing quality education to its learners. With its motto, “University for  All”, OUM utilises the blended mode of delivery, leveraging significantly on the latest appropriate  technology, to effectively contribute towards increasing access to higher education. The paper also  outlines OUM’s unique challenges as an ODL higher education institution (HEI) as well as measures  that had been undertaken to address them through appropriate policies, processes and practices. The  experience of OUM provides evidence to reaffirm the belief that an ODL HEI is indeed a viable  provider of quality higher education for all. (Author's abstract)