PIX: Group photograph; Regional Strategy Committee
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Regional Strategy Committee inaugurated by the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Femi Peters, has held a meeting with stakeholders in the university drawn from nineteen (19) directorates to enable them finalise on the Regional Strategy Plan.
To this end, the 7-member committee, chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Technology, Innovation and Research (TIR), Prof. Monioluwa Omolara Olaniyi, held a feedback review meeting on Monday, July 25, 2022 at the university’s headquarters, Jabi Abuja.
The chairman of the committee, represented by the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Chinedu Mafiana, stated that the committee was charged with the responsibility of developing a Regional Plan for the university to enable it fulfil the World Bank Disbursement Link Results 7 (DLR7).
“This DLR7 entails the university developing a plan that will help it recruit and retain international students,” he said.
PIX: Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Chinedu Mafiana; Representing the Chairman of the Committee
Mafiana added that the task of the committee was to develop a more focused and systematic approach that will enable ACETEL train faculty and students beyond national borders using Digital Tools and Modern Learning Management Systems.
‘‘We are happy this plan will be implemented as it has the potential to launch the university to its next phase,’’ Mafiana said.
Speaking further, dean said the 5-year action plan has been carefully developed, presented to the management and signed by the Vice- Chancellor and the sponsors of the project.
ACETEL’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer and member of the committee, Prof, Johnson Opataye, informed participants that the Africa Centre of Excellence project was results-based in nature with various Disbursement Link Indicators (DLI) that must be achieved before the university can earn funding from the World Bank.
Opateye also commended the Task Force on Regional Strategy Plan led by ACETEL Research Coordinator, Prof. Christine Ofulue, which developed the first draft of the plan.
He gave a breakdown of five key areas contained in the document which are:
• The strategy to facilitate the deployment of digital capacity in west African sub region with a view to influencing universities in the west African region to adopt our plans in deploying education using these areas
• Collaboration of institutions in the subregion and developing the capacity of faculty members in online and blended learning
• Developing digital skills among students and professionals in the region as well as other strategies for regional achievements
‘‘We are here for the University to have knowledge of what is contained in the document and add their inputs ‘’ Opataye said
Centre director of ACETEL Prof. Grace Jokthan in her vote of thanks commended the team for their support in achieving the work plan.
Members of the committee are Prof. Monioluwa Olaniyi, Prof. Chiedu F. Mafiana, Prof. Muhtar Alhassan, Dr. Greg Onwodi, Dr. Adewale Adesina, Dr. Opataye Johnson and Udochukwu C. Nwankwo.
