The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has approved the establishment of the NOUN Student Consultative Forum (NSCF) across all its Study Centres nationwide, in a move aimed at strengthening student representation, engagement, communication and collaborative governance.
The initiative, approved by the University Management under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Uduma Oji Uduma, is designed to provide students with a structured platform to engage constructively with Study Centre administrations and the Deanery of Student Affairs on issues affecting their academic and welfare experiences.
The Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Ernest O. Ugbejeh, said every Study Centre had been directed to commence the process of constituting its NSCF and submit the list of nominated representatives to the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs for approval within the stipulated timeframe.
Each forum will operate under the name of its respective Study Centre, such as NSCF Abuja Model Study Centre, NSCF Lagos Study Centre and NSCF Enugu Study Centre.
According to the university, the NSCF will serve as the official consultative, interactive and representative body of students at the Study Centre level.
It will facilitate communication between students and university authorities, represent students’ interests and welfare, promote awareness of university policies, encourage leadership development, support student engagement initiatives and contribute to the maintenance of a peaceful and conducive learning environment.
The forum will comprise a maximum of three faculty representatives from the faculties represented at each Study Centre.
Its Executive Committee will be drawn from among the faculty representatives and comprise a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Public Relations Officer and Welfare Officer.
The forum will also include a postgraduate representative and, where applicable, a representative of students with special needs.
The university said the constitution of the forums would promote gender balance, inclusiveness, transparency and merit-based selection.
To qualify for nomination, a student must have completed at least two semesters of study, attained a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.00, demonstrated leadership or community service, have no disciplinary record and have at least two semesters remaining before graduation.
Study Centre Directors are expected to conduct the nomination process in consultation with relevant faculties and ensure broad-based representation across eligible faculties, postgraduate programmes and students with special needs, where applicable.
The university described the NSCF as a non-partisan, consultative and developmental body dedicated to strengthening communication, student engagement and representation, while fostering a constructive partnership between students and the university.
Nominations are to be submitted by Study Centre Directors to the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs through studentaffairs@noun.edu.ng, accompanied by the required student details and an endorsement confirming that the nominees meet the approved eligibility criteria.
The Deanery of Student Affairs will review the submissions and communicate the approved composition of each Study Centre Forum.
University Management expressed confidence that the establishment of the NSCF would deepen student participation, enhance engagement and responsive administration, and further strengthen NOUN’s commitment to inclusive and student-centred governance.
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