I discovered the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL.A) in 2018. This initiative gave me a lifeline to pursue further education, especially since I lacked a credit for my SPM Mathematics. At that time, when I searched through the MQA website, there were just a handful of APEL Evaluation Centres and among them, OUM stood out as the leading choice.
In 2020, I attended a face-to-face consultation at the university’s Seberang Jaya Learning Centre. The reception was warm, the guidance thorough, and I immediately felt at home. I asked to pursue a diploma but the staff encouraged me to aim higher, for a bachelor’s degree.
I was doubtful at first, but the success stories of this pathway gave me enough confidence to go for it. It took just a few hours to get the APEL.A assessment done and I qualified for the bachelor’s level. As my professional background is in the maritime industry, there were no specific programmes tailored to my experience. However, the Seberang Jaya team found me a suitable choice in line with my job – Bachelor of Occupational Safety and Health Management.
My journey as a student had its obstacles. While I was in my first semester, my son was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer. Putting my son first, I deferred two semesters and almost went for a third. But a Seberang Jaya staff, Nadratul Naimah Sidek advised me to enrol in at least one subject to maintain the momentum. She said, “If you take a longer break, it will dampen your interest altogether.”
I took her advice and continued my studies with no other deferments.
My APEL journey led me to be invited by the MQA to speak as an inspirational icon at the launch of APEL.Q in KL Sentral on 30 June 2022.
While APEL.A helped my enrolment, APEL.C sped up my studies – I completed my degree in 9 semesters instead of 12, as I had obtained exemptions for 4 subjects.
While studying, I also managed to attain professional achievements, such as Combined Chief & Second Engineer Officer of 3000kW or more Near Coastal Trade Voyages and Hydrographic Surveying I Programme under the FIG/IHO/ICA Category “B”.
The happiest moment came when I graduated on 28 October 2024 at the 28th Convocation.
As a proud OUM alumnus now, I can see clearly how the university’s flexible online learning mode really helped me balance my work, studies, and personal life. Today, I am a Certified Technician with the Malaysia Board of Technologists. I couldn’t have achieved this without OUM. This university broke down barriers for me and helped me turn my dream into reality.
