THE National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has revealed that it has so far granted scholarships to 83 inmates to study in various NOUN Study Centres located in some Correctional Centres in the country.
Vice chancellor of NOUN, Professor Olufemi Peters who made this in Abuja, noted that one of the beneficiary inmates is currently running a PhD programme in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution.
He noted the Open University, which has continued to maintain the lead in Africa, has prioritised equity and equal opportunities in education at the university level, striving to widen access and promote lifelong learning.
“Since inception, NOUN has provided scholarships to about 83 inmates in Correctional Centres, exemplified by a current PhD student in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution,” he said.
He disclosed that to support research endeavours, upon assuming office in February 2021 as Vice-Chancellor, he established the Senate Research Grants, allocating an initial N150 million seed fund managed by the Directorate of Research Administration (DRA).
According to him, this initiative has boosted resources available to academic staff for cutting-edge research and publications in high-impact journals.
“Subsequently, we have continued to replenish the fund annually ensuring sustained support for innovative research projects,” he said.
Peters also spoke on Town and Gown and Community Service, saying the collaboration between the World Bank and the University through the Africa Centre of Excellence, (ACETEL) was a testament of the commitment to the town-and-gown initiative.
He explained that the partnership has facilitated active engagement between industry and the University in conceptualisation, curriculum development and internship experiences.
“In line with our goal of nurturing socially conscious graduates and instilling citizenship values, the University has introduced a new General Studies course titled, “Community Development” as part of the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) curriculum.
“Beginning from the second semester of the 2024 session, all 300-level students will undertake this course through the Department of Development Studies in collaboration with a private entity,” he stated.
The VC used the occasion to call on all NOUN Alumni at home and abroad as well as to actively support the university’s development efforts individually and collectively.
He said the call became imperative and inevitable amidst declining public funding and the ambitious expansion agenda aimed at extending education to every corner of Nigeria.
“We will leverage the influence and reach of our alumni network in eliciting support and augmenting government and internal efforts to provide an enabling environment for teaching, learning, and research.
“The Alumni are essential pillars of support for educational institutions as they offer vast networks of professional back up and philanthropic assistance while also acting as our ambassadors for institutional reputation,” he said.
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