The vice-chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Olufemi Peters, has challenged new students of the institution to demonstrate at all times to the society that the institution offers quality education delivered with equality and flexible access.
Peters gave the challenge yesterday at the 23rd matriculation ceremony of the university which took place virtually across its 108 study centres nationwide.
The new entrants, comprising of 11, 851 undergraduates and 4, 808 postgraduate students in various faculties, will join the over 150,000 returning students of the university.
In a press statement by the director, media and publicity, Ibrahim Sheme, the vice chancellor said; ‘’As our ambassadors, therefore, I expect you to be well behaved and demonstrate at all times to your family members, friends and associates, the values that distinguishe you from your counterparts.
“Our country needs your resourcefulness to excel in the competitive world of today. It is my steadfast desire that you will acquire at this university, 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 in elevating Nigeria to its deserved place of greatness in Africa and the world.”
Emphasising on the openness of the university, Peters stated that the openness as associated to the university simply means that the mode of teaching and service delivery are 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 and in some instances a smart phone, you will have online access to our study materials, instructional videos, tutorials, library resources and facilitation classrooms.”
He implored the students to dedicate themselves to timely and appropriate use of learning materials and teaching aids which are available at the study centres of their choice as the flexibility and access to study materials and learning aids is a unique attribute of the university in ensuring equity in the right to education for all.
Speaking on the e-ticketing platform, he said the system was successfully deployed in the last academic session as a feedback system to resolve complaints that students may have during their studies.
