The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Kayode Adebowale, has charged students of Open Distance Learning (ODL) of the university to be good ambassadors of distance learning, saying the UI model of Open Distance Learning is ‘parity of esteem’.
Adebowale said, by this, learners are entitled to many of the privileges enjoyed by students in the face-to-face mode of studies, interact with the same academic facilitators who teach the other students, and subsequently earn the same certificate.
The Vice-Chancellor stated this, on Thursday, at the matriculation ceremony for over 3,000 students offered admission into various programmes on the Open and Distance Learning Mode of the University of Ibadan for the 2021/2022 academic session.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju represented the Vice Chancellor at the event, stating that the Open Distance Learning mode of studies affords learners the opportunity to study wherever they are.
He pointed out that the mode is purely facilitated by technology, urging the learners to ensure that they avail themselves of the facilities and platforms available to enhance their learning while on the programme.
He pleaded with the students to be good ambassadors of the DLC and indeed the University of Ibadan.
The Director of the UIDLC, Professor Emmanuel Omobowale assured that the University is working in tandem with the regulations of the NUC on the operations of the ODL to ensure that quality education is accessible to all at the undergraduate level.
He assured that the DLC brand of ODL is blended with limited face-to-face contact but combines the best and necessary features of relevant interactive tools to facilitate teaching and learning in the best possible mode that takes care of the challenges of the Nigerian setting.
According to Professor Omobowale, the UI DLC subscribes heavily to technology and global best practices to assist learners to channel their ICT prowess towards achieving academic excellence.
He also charged the learners to be good ambassadors of the University. He reminded them that academic prowess is not enough to qualify them as graduates of the University of Ibadan adding that ‘ character is the second wing with which graduates of this esteemed University soar’.
The matriculation oath was administered to the students by the Deputy Registrar, Distance Learning Centre, Mrs Francisca Ayodele on behalf of the Registrar, Mrs Olubunmi Faluyi.
