The Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters has called on the NOUN Alumni Association (NOUNAA) to carry advocacy drive to the forefront.
Peters acknowledged that the alumni plays a significant role in shaping the image of the university.
He made this known on February 14, 2024 while receiving the recently inaugurated National Executives of the association at the university headquarters, Abuja.
The VC said the federal government recommended the establishment of four other Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions due to the good testament from NOUN and its success over the years.
According to him, “NOUN is leading in the technological learning space. The platform it operates for students and learning is the most secure, which is no mean feat, and, as such, it is important that the alumni carries this achievement to the public.’’
Peters added that the university, within its short stay, has contributed socio-economically to the nation more than any conventional university and therefore urged them to spread the benefits NOUN has to offer.
The Vice-Chancellor who expressed delight at the visit, congratulated them on their victory in the election and commended the association for their endeavours such as organising workshops and other entrepreneurial activities.
While approving the allocation of a tuck shop for the association within the university headquarters, he urged them to control any negative narrative out there about the institution and draw support from the large pool of students graduating every year for the university and the alumni body.
Earlier in his remarks, the NOUNAA President, Ifeanyi Kingsley Obukwelu, who led the delegation, said the purpose of the visit was to introduce members of the executives to the Vice-Chancellor and the management of NOUN and to also seek the support of the university for their future goals.
The president said “today’s symbolic visit is a testament of our shared commitment to improving and strengthening existing partnership between NOUN as an institution and her proud products by uplifting the NOUN brand, enhancing NOUN visibility and encouraging increased enrolment of students.”
Obukwelu noted that his association was committed to exploring the numerical strength and strategic placements of its members towards insurance of the university, thereby, it would require aggressive advocacy to showcase the quality of NOUN products and the general acceptability of the certificate.
He presented to the VC a proposal with a road map for the association’s programme of action which included the association’s plan to set up a secure and safe platform that will house data of its members.
In order to achieve the realisation of the proposed programmes of the association, the alumni chief prayed the VC to provide a space within the university headquarters to house the NOUNAA souvenir shop and other rated materials.
The president had also requested that the management considers resuscitating the employment of the best graduating student into the university system in each convention year.
While giving his vote of thanks, the NOUN registrar, Mr. Oladipo Ajayi, thanked the body for the visit and for being a true reflection of what the university stands for. “This is your home and you are always welcome.”
