Book Talk with Tan Sri Anuwar

Guess who was back in the house? To our great delight, our second and longest-serving President/Vice-Chancellor, Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Anuwar Ali, came to Menara OUM to chat about his book, Higher Education in Malaysia: Personal Experiences and New Perspectives.

The 2022 publication was discussed at a book review programme hosted by our Tan Sri Dr Abdullah Sanusi Digital Library on 23 January.

In the session expertly moderated by Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Deputy Dean Dr Hamidah Mat and Associate Professor Dr David Lim Chong Lim, Tan Sri Anuwar shared some juicy insights from his book and his time leading OUM.

The book covers everything from his early years to the changing landscape of higher education, so it’s a must-read for anyone interested in the field. One of the chapters also touches on the “democratisation of higher education” through OUM.

This fancy term means making higher education available and accessible to more people, regardless of their background or financial situation. It’s about giving everyone the opportunity to pursue further education and improve their lives.

The audience’s attention was held captive by Tan Sri Anuwar, who is well-known for his trademark wit and knack for connecting with staff at every level with his super friendly and approachable vibes.

In his welcoming remarks, our current President/Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Ahmad Izanee Awang, noted that OUM owes a lot to Tan Sri Anuwar’s 12 years at the helm. As Tan Sri Anuwar had been UKM Vice-Chancellor before helming OUM, he also has the impressive credibility of having led both a traditional public university and a private open and distance learning institution.

METEOR Group CEO, Dato’ Naharudin Ali, gave the closing remarks, in which he thanked Tan Sri Anuwar, saying, “Your legacy is not confined to the pages of a book but is alive in the hearts and minds of those who have been touched by your remarkable journey.”

The book review programme marked the start of the library’s mission to pump out more book reviews and create a space for knowledge sharing. With over 20,000 printed books, nearly 200,000 e-books, and 55,000 e-journals, the library has something for everyone. And hey, reading isn’t just for education – it can bring joy, lift spirits, and inspire personal growth too.

So, if you’re looking for some brain food, the Tan Sri Dr Abdullah Sanusi Digital Library is the place to visit. And check out Tan Sri Anuwar’s book – it’s available at the library!