DELSU To Commence Open And Distance Learning June

By Daniel Dafe

Vice Chancellor, Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, Professor Andy Egwunyenga, has said that the institution.has established the Directorate of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) to enable students from any part of the world learn from their homes.

Professor Egwunyenga disclosed this while briefing the press on Tuesday ahead of the 16th convocation ceremony of DELSU scheduled to hold on Saturday.

According to him, in February this year, the National Universities Commission (NUC) came for a pre-validation visit to assess the university’s facilities and preparedness for the establishment of the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system of education.

In his words, “the motivation behind ODL establishment is to expand the frontiers of knowledge and provide access to quality education and equity in educational opportunities for those who otherwise would have been denied education.”

He said that “in this mode of learning, students are taught in their homes through interactive texts supplemented with other resources such as CD ROM, DVD and USB Sticks to deliver e-lectures as well as simulation and assessments.”

ALSO READ: Burial Ceremonies For Obi Martha Dunkwu Commences Today

He continued: “ODL means that students are not required to attend classes or have face-to-face contact unless there are compelling reasons to justify it such as examinations, periodic facilitation and practicum.”

“Therefore, ODL programmes are predicated on pedagogy, led by resources and not relying on face-to-face interaction,” he added.

He said that when this commences, students will be able to study from anywhere in Nigeria or any part of the world.

Continuing, he said: “This bold step by Delta State University which commences in June this year with the Nursing Science programme will provide access to the same quality of education which Delta State University is known to hundreds of thousands of Nigerians who because of their circumstance cannot seek full-time studentship in the university.”

Egwunyenga said the programme will be advertised within the next one month, just as he urged media houses to give it the required publicity for a smooth take off.