I’m from Negeri Sembilan and both my parents are professionals: my father is an engineer and my mother a chartered accountant.

At present, I’m a senior IT officer at an engineering firm. I’m also an OUM tutor, and currently teach a batch of 110 learners online.

I have always had an interest in music, singing, dancing, art, reading, and writing. In conjunction with this year’s Merdeka celebration, Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, Negeri Sembilan conducted an online patriotic singing contest. I took part and won the Special Jury’s Choice Award!

I have also done stippling artwork on iconic buildings such as Istana Negara, Istana Besar Seri Menanti, Sydney Opera House, and Big Ben.

After finishing school, I was employed by an engineering firm and developed an interest in IT. As I did not want to quit my job to study, I found the Diploma in IT (DIT) programme offered at Negeri Sembilan Learning Centre (NSLC) to be the best choice for me.

Having completed my DIT, I had a good feeling about OUM and how friendly the staff were, not only at NSLC but right up to the top man himself, then President/Vice-Chancellor Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Anuwar Ali. I performed a line dance during a small reception welcoming him to the Learning Centre. He was so casual and friendly that I forgot how nervous I was!

Feeling so at home at OUM, I then proceeded to complete the Bachelor of Multimedia Technology (BMT). At the graduation ceremony, my parents and I met with several academics who were excited about a new programme to be offered at the University. The OUM charm offensive worked again, and I was persuaded to enrol as part of the first batch in the Master of Instructional Design and Technology (MIDT).

Armed with this qualification, I became a tutor at NSLC, where I conducted face-to-face classes. I enjoy teaching adult learners and can share with them how things work at OUM, being a former learner myself.

While spending so much time at home during the lockdown, my thoughts centred on education again. I browsed through the OUM website and was drawn to the Master of English Studies (MEST) programme. After I enrolled, I realised it was a tough one, requiring a lot of reading, research, and lengthy assignments.

My interest in writing led me to submit articles to the business journal INSPIRE, which is a thrice-yearly publication of the Women’s Institute of Management, where I am a member. The Institute is in the course of publishing a book on women’s leadership. Titled Steel Gardenias – Women’s Leadership: The Malaysian and Global Perspective, it will be released in the first quarter of 2022. I was offered a job as the book’s editor, thanks to my MEST qualification!

Engaging in a field different from IT is exciting. And getting the chance to impart knowledge to others and see them succeed is very rewarding indeed.

Having graduated from the MEST programme this year, Josephine Wong Joy Lin, 36, has increased her collection of OUM scrolls to four! She previously completed the DIT, BMT, and MIDT. She tutors at OUM, and is also a professional proof-reader and editor.