The Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, has challenged new students of the institution to demonstrate at all times that NOUN offers quality education delivered with flexible access.
A statement by the NOUN Director of Media and Publicity, Ibrahim Sheme, said Mr Peters gave the task on Saturday at the 23rd Matriculation Ceremony of the university, which took place virtually across its 108 study centres nationwide.
According to to the VC, this is what makes it possible to “learn at your pace and at any place”.
The new entrants, comprising 11,851 undergraduates and 4,808 postgraduate students in various faculties, will join the over 150,000 returning students of the university.
‘’As our ambassadors, therefore, I expect you to be well-behaved and demonstrate at all times, to your family members, friends and associates, the value that distinguishes you from your counterparts.
“Our country needs your resourcefulness to excel in the competitive world of today,” Peters advised them.
The vice-chancellor expressed his steadfast desire that they will acquire appropriate knowledge and skills, as well as the requisite strength of character and tenacity to sail through the challenges of a modern world of global competition.
“This will enable you to contribute meaningfully to the elevation of Nigeria to its deserved place of greatness in Africa and the world.”
He further reiterated that NOUN is the only accredited single-mode Open and Distance Learning, ODL, institution in Nigeria, established by the enabling Act No. 6, 1983, CAP N63, fulfilling its mandate of equal access for all Nigerians and bringing education within reach.
‘’It is proof of our commitment to equity for the teeming population of Nigerians that seek to gain access to university education for better prospects and self-actualisation,” he said.
Emphasising on the openness of the university, Peters stated that the openness associated to the university simply means that the mode of teaching and service delivery is not restricted by the barriers of distance and location or the bias of creed.
He said: ‘’Our university uses modern and emerging technologies to impart knowledge to students, you will require some basic ICT skills. With an internet-enabled computer.
“In some instances, a smartphone, you will have online access to our study materials, instructional videos, tutorials, library resources and facilitation classrooms.”
He, therefore, enjoined the students to dedicate themselves to the timely and appropriate use of learning materials and teaching aids which are available at the study centre of their choice.
Besides, he added that there is flexibility and access to study materials and learning aids and a unique attribute of the university in ensuring equity in the right to education for all.
On the e-ticketing platform, the vice-chancellor stated that the system was successfully deployed in the last academic session as a feedback system to resolve complaints that students may have during the course of their studies.
“This and other service delivery applications, including the simplified assessment processes (tutorials, tests and examinations) will make your study at NOUN a most rewarding educational experience.
“Due to the special mode of teaching and learning at NOUN, our graduates are usually the focus of exceptional interests from people that are eager to determine the quality of training received whilst studying with us,” Peter’s said.
He further intimated to the new students that the university has assembled dedicated teams of counsellors, professional ODL administrators, academics and facilitators across the 108 study centres in Nigeria to attend to their concerns in case of difficulties and challenges in the course of their study.
The Registrar of the university, Oladipo A. Ajayi, administered the matriculation oath to the students via the Zoom platform, urging them to abide by all the rules and regulations of the institution in order to avoid expulsion.
