| Summary: | Retaining learners has always been an ongoing challenge in an ODL institution
worldwide. This is no exception to Open University Malaysia (OUM) and Sukothai
Thammathirat Open University (STOU). In both institutions it was found that the attrition
rate is highest in the early part of their study, mainly in the first semester or year. The
overall retention rate of OUM is between 65-70% while in STOU is between 50-60%.
This represents a huge loss in revenue to the institutions concerned as well as a lost
opportunity to learners in terms of upgrading their level of personal and career
development and achievement. In response to this challenge, both OUM and STOU have
undertaken various interventions to mitigate this early attrition problem. This paper seeks
to compare and contrast the major retention inititives at both institutions with a view to
learn from each other’s experience. The reasons for learner drop-outs in both institutions
may be similar, however, the strategies and action plans formulated by each institution
may differ. It would be interesting to determine the underlying rationale why such
strategies were adopted. The outcome of this collaborative study will enable each
institution to adapt and adopt best practices in managing retention. (Authors' abstract)
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