Open Varsity Director Decries Lack Of Internet Facilities

The Director of the National Open University of Nigeria Study Centre in Awka, Dr Chibuogwu Nnaka, has decried the lack of internet facilities at the centre five years after inauguration.

Nnaka told newsmen at the sixth matriculation ceremony of the university in Abagana, Anambra, on Saturday that the situation was not in the interest of the students.

“ICT is the main basis of open and distance learning. Everything about the university; the admission, and even examination, is done online, but we are yet to have internet facility in the centre.

“We want an internet broadband installed for us so that it will be easier for our students to write their examinations at the centre rather than going to cyber cafés,” he said.

The director also observed that the rehabilitation of the centre had not been completed and called on the Federal Government to solve its challenges.

On the accreditation of its courses, Nnaka said the centre was liaising with the National Universities Commission to ensure their accreditation in no distant time.

“The university, though new, is accessible, flexible and affordable. Our processes have improved, such that once you have entered our online portal and you are qualified, you could print your admission letter immediately.

“This has helped to increase our students’ population,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Vincent Tenebe, represented by Nnaka, said the university was re-assessing its processes and procedures to make graduates self-reliant.

Our correspondent reports that the centre, which started with 12 students in 2004/2005 academic session, matriculated 400 students on Saturday.