BSU visits NOUN headquarters to acquire ODL knowledge

As Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode continues to redefine education delivery across the globe, the Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, has visited the headquarters of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) so as to be furnished with the demands as well as modus operandi of system

The 3-day working visit, led by the team leader and Director, Centre for Distance and Open Learning, BSU, Makurdi, Prof. Peter Terfa Ortese, commenced on Tuesday, January 31 and ended on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at the NOUN headquarters in Abuja.

While thanking the university management for approving their request to understudy the institution, Prof. Ortese said "We have come because you (NOUN) are the best of ours.  This aspect of teaching and learning is totally different. So we want to start from here."

Speaking further, Ortese said that if any academic institution wants to start ODL, the starting point should be that they come to NOUN and learn first, adding that  "If you stand on the shoulders of giants, you can't make mistakes."

In his welcome address, the NOUN VC, Prof. Olufemi Peters, thanked his BSU delegation for the visit.

"You are welcome. I must say that you are in the right place to learn. You are in good hands. I am sure you will enjoy your visit. I wish you a very successful stay," he said.

During the visit, the BSU delegation were drilled on various ODL specific areas that will help them achieve their goals.

The Director, Learning Content Management System (LCMS), Dr. Adewale Adesina, who kick-started the training, tutored the delegation on "Learning Content Delivery" where he based his teachings on assessment, Open Education Resource (OER) and Virtual Learning Platforms.

On the hand, the Director, Directorate of Entrepreneurship and General Studies  (DE &GS), Dr. Samuel Awolumate, explained on the Entrepreneurship Studies in NOUN, while the Head, Course Materials Development Unit, Prof. Ibrahim O. Salawu, represented by Chukwuemeka Nwosu, lectured them on "Course Materials Production and Management."

Other presentations were: "Examination and Assessment in NOUN," by  the Director,  Directorate of Examination and Assessment (DEA), Prof. Olugbenga Ojo, "Quality Assurance Strategies and Practices" by the Director, Directorate of Quality Assurance (DQA), Prof. Juliet O. Inegbedion.

 The Acting Director, Directorate of Learners Support Services (DLSS), Dr. Safinat Ozohu Omuya, equally furnished the team on the idea behind learner supports services in NOUN, while the Director, Regional Training and Research Institute for Distance and Open Learning (RETRIDOL), Prof. Christine Ofulue, in her presentation, informed the delegation about the institute's training and capacity building programmes as well as its research activities in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and in digital learning.

The Director, Advancements and Linkages, Mrs. Omorogieva E. Ileka, who spearheaded the visit, conducted the BSU delegation round to see some offices and facilities.

The offices and facilities visited were: CMDU/NOUN, Printing Press, DLSS, DEA, Management Information System (MIS), LCMS and Abuja Model Study Centre/ North Central Incubation Centre.

Meanwhile, the BSU team leader, Prof. Ortese, while appreciating the VC of NOUN for warm welcome as well as taking care of them, said that they were satisfied with what they have seen.

"We are very satisfied. In fact, we' ve gotten more than we expected. We've seen the nature of this establishment. We've studied the inner workings and we are better prepared to go and start our own.

"When we start, we are assured that we are starting from an informed perspective not an ignorant perspective. There are many things that we need to collaborate with in this establishment to push us forward," he remarked.