Infrastructure managers of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), have undergone a special training tailored towards equipping them with essentials to ensure the optimal use of high-speed fibre optic at the headquarters and across the affected study centres.
This followed the recent deployment of fibre optic internet at the NOUN headquarters and 23 selected study centres across the country, which was facilitated by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
To this end, the Directorate of Information Communication Technology, hosted a 2-day post-implementation training at the NOUN headquarters in Abuja to provide the managers with the first and second-level technical skills to man the technology.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, represented by the newly-appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor, TIR, Prof. Christine Ofulue, noted that the workshop marked a significant milestone in the university’s digital and transformation journey towards improving digital connectivity across study centres.
”As we celebrate the deployment of high-speed fibre optic infrastructure at the NOUN headquarters and twenty-three other locations during the project phase one, this transformative initiative supported by TETFund under the visionary leadership of our VC Prof. Olufemi Peters, demonstrates our commitment to advancing digital technology and innovation in education by bridging geographical and social economy gaps; we are expanding access to knowledge and empowering learners across the country.
”We remain grateful to TETFund for their unwavering supports, while looking forward to continued assistance.
“As we gathered here today we will not only celebrate this technological achievement but also recognise the crucial role of effective management maintenance in supporting the equipment and infrastructure that has been deployed and in the support of Open and Distant Learning,” the VC said.
Peters encouraged participants to participate actively and engage with the resource persons, share experiences and challenges and collaborate to build a supportive network of professionals that are committed to harnessing technology for educational excellence.
”This interaction offers an opportunity to learn, to grow and collectively shape the future of our digital education in Nigeria,” the VC added.
.
He appreciated Africa Fibre Limited, Phase 3 Telecoms and all sister companies and the ICT directorate for their outstanding commitment, foresight and expertise in bringing the version to NOUN.
On his part, the ICT Director, Dr. Osang Francis, disclosed that the VC had the Directorate of ICT in mind.
"When he assumed office as the VC, he called me to state what would be done to achieve an availability of internet facilities within and around our study centres and I told him (that) we will need a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that will link the study centres to the headquarters where some of our resources can be shared within without going to the internet and even our exams.
”When we have this VPN , we will be able to share some of our key resources within this VPN and we will run in a very secured tunnel without issues,” he said.
Four years down the line, Osang added, the internet connection being used in 23 locations is through that project.
“Now our students go to these study centres and they have an internet connection. Here at the headquarters most of our lecturers also enjoy this internet connection and not only that today we are establishing our server rooms in all these locations with biometric access control doors,” the director said.
Osang employed them to maintain all the university equipment, devices and facilities under their care, stressing that “if anything happens to them, you will be held responsible.”
The representative of Phase 3 Telecoms, Mr. Omolaja Olosunde, appreciated the VC, Prof. Olufemi Peters, for his passion and tenacity towards delivering the best when it comes to ICT.
”The VC called us and said: ‘You can't do less. This has to be done excellently well.’ He also took his time to supervise the project," Mr. Olosunde said.
- Log in to post comments
- 31 views
