Wawasan Open University’s iconic main campus in Penang.
THE current pressing times demand for digital competencies in our workforce.
Mindful of this, Wawasan Open University (WOU) has set up the new School of Digital Technology (DiGiT) to heed the clarion call.
DiGiT has, in fact, hit the ground running by introducing two programmes to help students become employed and stay employed.
The Bachelor of Digital Business (Honours), or BDBS, had its first batch of students in May 2021.
Next up is the Bachelor in Software Engineering (Honours) (Application Development), or BDSE, which opens for enrolment in the September 2021 intake.
You may ask what is so unique and exciting about the DiGiT programmes. Two students share why they decided on pursuing the BDBS degree.
Shasmitha Seb Sebastian, 22, from Bayan Lepas, Penang, enrolled in her Diploma in Computer Graphics Design.
“What I learn in BDBS, like coding, will help me to create websites. This knowledge is useful for the digital world and for my work.”
She cited that fresh graduates tend to lack work experience when applying for jobs.
Shasmitha folows her lessons on her mobile device. She said she is happy to be doing Digital Business at WOU.
“With BDBS, I will have three years working experience when I graduate.”
Focused on opening up her own online business one day, she added, “I will be more confident in setting up my business after I acquire the required skills from the programme.”
Lai Yee Lian, 41, from Sungai Ara, Penang, looks to BDBS to kick start her marketing career.
She has been away from work for over 10 years to take care of her kids.
“I was in marketing previously, and I find that BDBS is somewhat related.
“With the push towards globalisation, most industries are transforming to online operations and hiring digital marketing staff.”
She hopes to learn about online branding, social media marketing, and how to build rapport and serve customers better in the digital age
Lai does her studies remotely from home.
She was also motivated to take BDBS because she wanted to learn about website designing and help charities with fundraising and selling handicrafts online.
“I want to create websites and I want to learn about ecommerce for the sake of my profession and to contribute to society.”
With BDBS and BDSE, students are able to pick up practical skills for the real-work environment. And these are what employers demand.
At WOU, students are taught industry-oriented digital skills in the first year through intensive, on-campus learning.
They are linked up with industry mentors to absorb the needed expertise. From the second year onwards, the students find industry placements, or paid apprenticeships.
They are able to apply the skills learnt from the first year to find full-time employment, while continuing the remaining years of study via open distance learning (ODL).
Great savings on tuition fees await those who register for the September 2021 intake.
Students get a 100% tuition fee waiver for the first year and stand to receive free laptop computers, offered to the first 30 students.
For details on DiGiT programmes or to enrol for the September, January or May intake, go to wou.edu.my or call WOU toll-free careline at 1-300 888 968 (WOU).
