NOUN To Launch Instructional Tablet
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) seems to have finally found the missing formula for solving the endemic challenge of shortage of study materials in the university with the introduction of an electronic instructional tablet to be called i-NOUN.
The Vice-chancellor of the university, Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu, made this known during his courtesy visit to the Chancellor of the university, His Royal Majesty Igwe Dr. Lawrence Chikezie Agubuzu, in his palace at Awene Ezeama-Olo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Adamu said the introduction of the gadget, which is at advanced stages, will not only put paid to the challenge of study materials shortages, but will also cut down fees payable in that university as well enhancing the updating of those study materials.
"The i-NOUN tablet, which would be made available to all students, will have all study materials needed by students of the university uploaded in it and would be updated regularly to foreclose the possibility of those study materials getting obsolete," he said.
He commended his predecessor, Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe, "for taking NOUN from an evolutionary university to a revolutionary university," saying he would work to sustain what Tenebe did.
He said having granted tuition-free tertiary education to all inmates of prisons in Nigeria, his next move would be to launch what he called Diasporic NOUN.
According to him, the initiative has already attracted interest in Ghana, Benin Republic and Liberia, adding that it was conceived to generate access to tertiary education for Nigerians in other countries, especially African countries, who by their business callings and social circumstances may have been precluded from opportunities for conventional academic pursuit.
He disclosed that plans were underway to set up study centres in those countries to cater for the education need of Nigerians living there.
In a related development, Adamu revealed the intent of his administration to build a world-class broadcast studio with hi-tech equipment where the instructional broadcast of the university would be done.
Earlier, the host, Igwe Agubuzu, had described the Adamu as eminently qualified for his new job as vice chancellor of Nigeria's largest university.
"When I read through his extra-ordinary curriculum vitae, I knew that Mr. President has made the right choice and he is eminently qualified to manage this great university," he said.
The royal father, who is also the chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, pledged to work in full cooperation with Adamu, while calling on Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari to move the country forward.
"President Buhari is a quintessential patriot who must be supported by all Nigerians to build this country," he said.
SIGNED:
IBRAHIM SHEME
Director, Media & Publicity
National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)