OAU adopts e-learning strategy

Obafemi Awolowo University, one of the first generation Universities in Nigeria, recently launched its e-learning programme. The e-learning programme as approved by the National Universities Commission(NUC) is the first of its kind in the country,  designed to give an opportunity to millions of Nigerians who desire to acquire university degrees. This landmark achievement is meant to make learning more attractive and accessible towards eradicating  illiteracy.

Idowu Bamitale, vice chancellor, OAU, expressed satisfaction with the level of advancement in learning through the e-learning initiative adding that the university introduced the programme to revolutionise learning in Nigeria to enable her catch-up with the rest of the world in information technology.

Bamitale regrets that Nigeria was losing huge foreign exchange as a result of capital flight owing to the inability of the country to take advantage of e-learning platform, this he adds OAU is hoping to correct.

The e-learning has a learning management system (VigiLearn) that allows students to receive lectures, submit assignments, relate with peers, participate in group discussions and get graduated without physically being within the four walls of a lecture room.

On how much the programme will cost, the University don reveals that it is  determined by the path of study that each students decides to follow, as transportation, housing, feeding outside of the home which the student would paid are eliminated through the e-learning.

Admission wise, with a JAMB score of 180 or with the relevant Direct Entry Qualifications, candidates can gain admission into the OAU. The programme also allows the students to learn and study at their convenience, at any time and from any location in the world.

E-learning is learning conducted through electronic media, such as laptops, tablet devices and mobile phones, typically on the internet.

The OAU courses available for the e-learning programme includes B.Sc. Accountancy; B.SC. Nursing; B.Ed. Social Studies Education; and B.Ed. Economics Education respectively. Other programmes to be included soon are: Masters in Public Health (MPH); Executive Masters in Information Technology (EMIT); and B.Sc. Economics.