By Bisi Adebayo, NOUN
Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters, has said knowledge and skills are needed to elevate the country to its deserved place of greatness in Africa and the world.
He, therefore, urged new students of the institution to strive to elevate Nigeria to its deserved place of greatness in Africa and the world.
Peters said this at the university’s 24th matriculation, which took place via Zoom across its various study centres nationwide.
“As you pass through our university, I am hopeful that you will acquire the appropriate knowledge and skills, as well as the requisite strength of character and tenacity, to sail through the challenges of global competition,” he said.
The VC enjoined them to utilise the opportunities offered by the flexibility and openness of their study in the university to make them better than their peers elsewhere.
“For those that are engaged in a vocation and or employment, it is an opportunity to excel in your career.
“It is also an opportunity to demonstrate the efficacy of continuous education through open and distance learning, in adding value to your competence at work, to the delight of employers,” Peters said.
The freshmen comprising 12, 954 undergraduates, 4, 716 postgraduates and four Ph.D students in various faculties, would join a population of over 150,000 students studying for various degrees in the university.
“The uniqueness of the university should evoke special interests in the students, especially from people who are eager to know how qualitative academic training is in the university.
“I enjoin you, therefore, to be dedicated to your studies and be good ambassadors of this university,” he said.
Peters said the university’s mode of teaching and service delivery caould not be restricted by the barriers of distance, location, or the bias of race and creed.
His words: “I am particularly glad to inform you that your university is privileged to operate in sync with the emerging world order of a global village in the information age.
“NOUN takes the ‘Gown to the Town’ dictum by providing equal access to quality education for all citizens, irrespective of their social circumstances, their creed, and wherever they are located.”
He admonished the freshmen to create groups issues relating to their study can be discussed.
Peters stated that the institution had provided an e-ticketing feedback channel to resolve complaints encountered during the course of their studies.
He added that other delivery applications, including the simplified assessment processes (tutorials, tests and examinations) would make study at the university a worthwhile experience for them.
The Registrar, Mr. Oladipo Ajayi, who administered the matriculation oath, charged them to abide by the rules and regulations of the university to avoid sanctions.