The Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Femi Peters has charged the university’s fresh graduates not to despair despite utter global economic crisis.
Prof. Peters said this during the 11th Convocation Ceremony of the university held on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at its headquarters, Jabi, Abuja, which incidentally was the first convocation ceremony under his stewardship as the Vice-Chancellor.
According to him, “The global economy is in utter crisis and for new graduates like most of you, this causes anxiety instead of hope, joy and confidence. My charge to you in this circumstance is not to despair because I am of the firm belief that those who will make it in the new normal are those who have had the benefit of the training that you have received.
“The circumstances may be challenging, but I encourage you to remain resolute because you have been empowered with necessary skills and knowledge to succeed.’’
The VC further implored them to apply themselves diligently in whatever capacity they find themselves, and with integrity as true ambassadors of NOUN.
The university’s progress and achievements in the last one year and plans for the future, he highlighted, includes: Strategic Reforms, Capacity Building of Staff, Course Material Development Reforms, Digital Reforms, Quality Assurance, Linkages, Partnerships and Collaborations, Research, Infrastructural Development, among others.
On the future aspirations of the university, Peters said “NOUN is the leading provider of higher education through open, distance and e-learning in Nigeria and the West sub-region.
“However, we cannot rest on our oars. The next four years are critical, for they hold immense opportunities to consolidate on the major reforms achieved in the last one year, implement many more, and build with determination to achieve our ultimate goal of improved customer satisfaction and increased student enrolment,” he added.
The blended convocation was held across all the state capitals in Nigeria, as first degree graduates converged at 48 of the 103 study centres of the university, affirming the fact that NOUN is indeed a university in a class of its own.
The 11th Convocation Ceremony has presented to the world a total number of 22,250 graduating students to receive their degrees in various disciplines, and the breakdown of which shows that undergraduate level has a total of 16,679 students out of which 69 students were in First-Class Division; 4,327 in 2nd Class Upper Division; 9,499 in second class lower division and 2,700 students in Third Class Division. Also total number of 84 students was also recorded with pass degree.
