Over 16,000 new students were matriculated on Saturday by the National Open University of NIgeria.
Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Olufemi Peters, in an address at the ceremony which was held virtually, challenged the new students to demonstrate to the society at all times that NOUN offers quality education delivered with equality and flexible access.
According to him, this is what makes it possible to “learn at your pace and at any place.”
In a statement released by the university the new entrants, comprising 11,851 undergraduate and 4,808 postgraduate students in various faculties, will join the over 150,000 returning students of the university.
“As our ambassadors, therefore, I expect you to be well-behaved and demonstrate at all times, to your family members, friends and associates, the value that distinguishes you from your counterparts.
“Our country needs your resourcefulness to excel in the competitive world of today,” the statement quoted the vice chancellor to have said.
The vice-chancellor added: “It is my steadfast desire that you will acquire, at this university, appropriate knowledge and skills, as well as the requisite strength of character and tenacity to sail through the challenges of a modern world of global competition.
“This will enable you to contribute meaningfully in elevation of Nigeria to its deserved place of greatness in Africa and the world.”
He further reiterated that NOUN is the only accredited single mode Open and Distance Learning institution in Nigeria, established by the enabling Act No. 6, 1983 CAP N63, fulfilling its mandate of equal access for all Nigerians and bringing education within reach.
Peters implored the students to dedicate themselves to timely and appropriate use of learning materials and teaching aids which are available at the study centre of their choice as the flexibility and access to study materials and learning aids is a unique attribute of the university in ensuring equity in the right to education for all.
