National Universities Commission (NUC), has approved the establishment of the Lagos State University (LASU) Open and Distance Learning and Research Institute (ODLRI).
A statement by the university’s acting PRO Ademola Adekoya said the approval followed a visit by the NUC team which assessed the facilities of the institute located within the university’s main campus in Ojo.
The ODLRI was the initiative of the incumbent Vice Chancellor Prof Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun, conceived to supplant the now rested LASU External System (LASUES) and provide opportunity for legions of knowledge seekers desirous of pursuing their first degrees in the university, but are unable to gain admission into the regular programmes. The ODLRI board is headed by former NUC Executive Secretary Prof Peter Okebukola.
Fagbohun, while receiving NUC team on their assessment visit, had assured the commission that LASU-ODLRI would be unequalled in the delivery of quality university education in Africa.
The approved take-off programme is the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
The statement said LASU-ODLRI has several unique features. For instance, the university said course contents are pitched above NUC minimum standards with slant on 21-century skills especially critical thinking, teamwork, entrepreneurship and digital literacy, among others which would be delivered on a learner-friendly, easy-to-navigate e-learning platform with 24-hour learner support.
The institution also promised to apply global best practices in ODL delivery. Another distinguishing feature is that it will embed research and development into all operations. All course materials are pilot tested before full diffusion.
In addition, there are no imported courseware as all materials are proudly homegrown in LASU, said management, adding that it would also blend 30 per cent on- campus instruction with 70 per cent instruction in a technology-enabled virtual learning environment.
With the approval, sale of forms is expected to begin any moment from now, the university concluded.