As an alumnus of this university, I feel called upon to share my experience. Maybe what I say can encourage someone who is considering whether or not to further their studies – and whether or not to do it at OUM.
I actually didn’t have a pressing need to further my studies. Although I only had a bachelor’s degree, I had already built a strong career in the oil and gas industry. As a project planner, I worked on major projects. I could manage complex schedules, coordinate with engineers and contractors, and ensure that everything was done on time and within budget.
Still, a voice inside me kept saying, “Get a master’s — the future might require it.” So, I enrolled in a master’s programme at another university. Unfortunately, reality hit hard. My work required me to travel and go on long-term outstation assignments often. This made weekend classes very difficult to attend. I ended up missing classes and falling behind. After a few months, I made the painful decision to stop my studies.
But I wasn’t ready to abandon my dream. I started looking for a university that could adapt to my life instead of forcing me to change it. That’s when I found OUM.
This is such a flexible university. The online learning platform was easy to use and available 24/7, so I could watch recorded lectures in hotel rooms and the project site’s office while on assignment, or take part in an online forum late at night after work. The online forums and WhatsApp study groups made me feel connected to the other learners, even though we were all far apart. In addition, the tutors were very responsive and approachable – I could ask them any question and they would do their best to answer me.
The financial flexibility was another big plus. Instead of paying lump sums upfront, I could spread the fees out over instalments. This made it easier to plan my finances as both an employee and a student.
That said, studying at OUM was not without its challenges. Online learning requires a lot of self-discipline. I remember one particular stretch where I had to juggle a critical offshore project deadline with writing my mid-term assignments. There were nights when I barely slept, and I wondered if I had taken on too much. But I learned to manage my time better, setting aside a fixed slot each morning to focus only on studies.
When I finally completed my Master of Project Management, I knew I had gained more than just academic knowledge. I had sharpened my project planning, risk analysis, and quality management skills in ways that directly benefited my work. More importantly, I had proven to myself that I could overcome setbacks and finish what I started.
My happiest moment came last May, when I received my scroll at the 29th Convocation at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur. It wasn’t just a piece of paper – it was the fulfilment of a dream I nearly gave up on.
So, if you are at a crossroads, wondering whether it can be done, I am here to tell you: yes, it can. With determination – and with OUM – you can make it happen!
