National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has matriculated 17,804 students, out of which 11,983 are for undergraduates while 5,821 for postgraduates.
The 20th matriculation took place virtually across 103 study centres nationwide on Saturdayand is the first matriculation performed by vice-chancellor Olufemi Peters since his assumption of office on 11th February 2021.
Prof Peters assured the students that as members of the NOUN community, they will be given excellent opportunities to learn in an atmosphere of mutual respect, justice and quality service delivery.
“It will be required of you to adapt to a new mode of learning that is mostly remote and technology driven, flexible, but challenging.
He said, “Your ICT capabilities and competencies shall be put to test, your ability for self-motivation and learning is critical to success, nevertheless, you will be expected to emerge from process, with impeccable character, refined by modern learning capabilities and skills meet for a new and emerging digital world of varied challenges.”
Prof Peters challenged the new students of the university to be studious, test for knowledge and test the limits of ideas during their academic journey with the institution.
‘’I want you to know you are now our ambassadors, and I wish to request you to be of good character, befitting of your new status as students of NOUN,” he said.
He said: “As positive ambassadors, we expect you to draw friends, associates, relatives and the society at large to NOUN Community of learning, as you represent the old adage of taking the gown to the town.”
The VC also stated that NOUN is determined to make learning rewarding and satisfactory, as the learning content and service delivery facilities are being upgraded continuously with the state- of -the art methodologies and innovations in the use of information and communication.
Peters further urged the students to be resolute when challenges arise, as they are part of life, even in learning, saying, “Please, seek assistance promptly and demand our attention, in a friendly and cooperative manner. We are in this together.”
Meanwhile, the Registrar of the university, Felix Edoka, administered the matriculation oath on the students.