Covenant University’s distance learning programme to a step closer to take-off when a team from the National Universities Commission (NUC) on a pre-validation assessment visit to the University’s Centre for Open and Distance Learning (CCODeL) applauded the level of work that is in place ahead of getting the nod from the nation’s tertiary education regulatory body.
The Chair of the panel, Dr Olamide E. Adesina, commended the retinue of ICT personnel at the centre, as they displayed diligence and seriousness of purpose to their task. Mrs Adesina made this known when she led the panel on a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor and members of management at the end of their valuation visit to the centre.
While reiterating the premium that the Commission has placed on ensuring compliance with distance learning programmes, Dr Adesina said Covenant University, being an institution that is synonymous with quality and excellence, is no doubt well positioned to set the pace for other institutions working at providing distance learning to qualified and teeming population desirous of tertiary education.
She said the antecedents of Covenant were enough assurance that when given the go ahead to commence distance learning programme, the university will be deliver on the set mandate and expectations of NUC.
Dr Adesina commended the University for the level of investment made in the Centre. According to her, the first major test of an institution to embrace distance learning is their readiness to invest into key equipment and tools that will enhance the successful preparation of the teaching videos and other materials that will aid the dissemination of lectures to subscribers.
Dr Adesina, who came in the company of Dr Ayuba Mohammed and Mr Matthew Esene, applauded Covenant for her consistency in driving her vision, which has made the University become a beacon of hope in the nation’s education landscape.
She said the NUC is a forward looking body, with the Open Distance Learning at the centre of the Commission’s effort for quality education. As such, there is interest in ensuring that institutions that are licensed to run distance learning programme are those that can deliver quality with the right ICT tools and resources to meet up with best practices around the world.
In his remark, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abiodun H. Adebayo, appreciated the team for pointing the university in the direction of strengthening what is already on ground, noting that the pre-validation assessment visit is about helping Covenant University improve on the existing framework that will make the Open Distance Learning programme deliver to the NUC’s expectations.
Professor Adebayo said the University will spare nothing in building the capacity of her personnel. In the same regards, the distance learning programme will not commence if it will not equip subscribers to become change agents in the world of work and business.
The VC appreciated the NUC Team for undertaking the national assignment, considering that the task is about offering quality to the teeming population desiring the best education available. “As a University, we are committed to delivering the best of education that is embedded with our leadership programmes to everyone that subscribes to our distance learning programme,” he added.
Professor Adebayo said the University has signed several memoranda of understanding with notable institutions of the world all in a bid to bolster the existing structure to make the take-off of the university’s distance learning programme a pride to the Commission and the nation.
The meeting had in attendance the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olujide Adekeye; Registrar, Mrs Regina Tobi-David; Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Akan Williams; Director, Financial Services, Pastor Oluwole Bolujoko; Director, Centre for Learning Resources, Dr Ada Sonia Peter; Director, Academic Planning, Dr Emmanuel Amoo; Director, Covenant Centre for Open and Distance Learning (CCODeL), Dr Mayowa Agboola and members of personnel of the Centre.