The Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, Prof. Uduma O. Uduma, has called for greater unity among African countries to make a significant impact on the global stage.
Prof. Uduma made the call while hosting Gambia’s Minister of Higher Education, Hon. Prof. Pierre Gomez, and his delegation on a learning visit to the Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning, ACETEL, at NOUN’s headquarters in Abuja.
He said collaboration with The Gambia should not be measured by size but by a shared Pan-African vision and collective agenda.
“If we are willing to go further, we must work together as a people,” he stated.
The VC described ACETEL, established with support from the World Bank, the Association of African Universities, and the National Universities Commission, as a true Centre of Excellence in its operations.
“University, from the Latin universitas, is a place where best practices are obtained. Our collaboration is anchored on sound principles. We are open to African universities and communities because without collaboration, we cannot achieve much,” he said.
“It is a learning process. Even as we mentor, we are also learning. This exchange will sharpen both parties.”
On Open and Distance Learning, Prof. Uduma said NOUN is leading both in Nigeria and across Africa.
“So many people doubted this mode of instructional delivery. Providence has today vindicated us as the sure way to go,” he noted.
He added that most universities in Nigeria now operate a dual-mode of learning, and stressed that NOUN is willing to support The Gambia in developing its ODL education system.
In his remarks, Prof. Pierre Gomez said he was delighted to be at NOUN.
“I had the privilege of working with two of my colleagues here when I was Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics at the University of The Gambia. The two NOUN representatives did excellently well, and it is a pleasure meeting them again after some years,” he said.
“I want to appreciate the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uduma O. Uduma, and his team for hosting us and for the willingness to help us make adjustments within the higher education ecosystem in The Gambia.
"We thought it wise to open our doors and work with our brothers and sisters in Nigeria to adopt best practices and improve our system.”
Prof. Gomez noted the age gap between the two countries’ university systems, saying that
“University education is very young in The Gambia. Nigeria started before 1960, while ours began in the year 2000. You can see the big gap."
He recalled that Nigeria laid the foundation for university education in The Gambia, with the first Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Deans and other principal officers all being Nigerians.
“It is therefore important to transform this sector. That is why we have come back to the fundamentals — our roots — and that is Nigeria.
"The exposure, experience and calibre of professors that Nigeria has, we do not yet have,” the Minister added.
Earlier, the Centre Director of ACETEL, Prof. Emeka Ogoke, said the University of The Gambia delegation came to understudy ACETEL’s mode of technology-enhanced education delivery.
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