Flexible learning programme (FLP) in Universiti Teknologi MARA: New opportunities for Malaysian higher education and training

Abstract

The Flexible Learning Programme (FLP) has enabled the process of education and training to be expanded in an online virtual college mode, enabling students to use the state-of-the-art, and multi-media, e-Learning techniques. University Technology Mara (UiTM) has responded by applying the revolutionary new eLearning concept in her attempt to be futuristic towards the next generation of distance-learning. In doing so, the flexible learning programme offers an expanding range of exciting new formats for ICT and website design courses. Students may access the readymade information and references electronically and communicate online and interact through Internet. UiTM in general and the Faculty of Information Management in particular has moved a step further in providing education through Internet, known as the flexible learning program. This faculty became the first to provide a master’s program through flexible learning known as the Masters of Science in Information Management. The first group of 77 students came from all over Malaysia. It is interesting to note that the response from the participants has been encouraging despite the fact that this is a new mode of learning in Malaysia. The monthly seminars that are being held not only help in the reinforcement of the student’s capacity to absorb and to consolidate the sessions, but also to provide a good forum for discussions. This paper will attempt to explain the FLP and how it has so far sustained in meeting the objective of the program, despite the fact that it is of recent phenomena. This program has run smoothly and the rate of students’ response have continuously been encouraging. Key words: University technology Mara, faculty of information management, masters of science in information management, UiTM, flexible learning programme, e-learning.