Part-time programme to adopt e-learning

[TheNation]

 The University of Lagos (UNILAG) Distant Learning  Institute (DLI) is set to adopt e-learning system in line with the guidelines of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

[/size]As a way of preparing the students for this new learning mode, the institute organised a seminar on e-learning, where students were urged to see the Internet as an educational tool. The coordinator of the seminar, Abisoye Ajayi, said the seminar was organised to help students acquire Information Technology (IT) skills. She said proper understanding of IT would help students secure better jobs at graduation or even when still in school.

[/size]Ajayi said: “Our expectation is that, after this conference, students must have gotten a reason why they should be computer literate, understanding why and how a lot of things work, the drive and interest in technology and be able to apply the knowledge to basically everything you do.”

[/size]Mr Gbenga Sesan of Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, who delivered a paper, said people should think how to make money from technology, not just using Facebook.

[/size]Another speaker, Mr Sam Adeyemi, taught the students steps to launching an IT career, which include: communication skills, certification, skill sets, credibility and self improvement.

[/size]The third speaker, Mr Sola Alabi of Wema Bank, UNILAG branch, spoke about Internet banking. He also educated the students about the introduction of cashless Lagos.

[/size]Soon, the Director of DLI, Prof Olufunke Lawal, mounted the podium. She praised the students, saying in the next six months, e-Learning would explode in UNILAG DLI. She said all the lecture materials would be on Digital Video Disc (DVD) and would also be uploaded on the Internet. Prof Lawal said the university has approved N45million to build e-Learning Centre (ELC), where there would be wireless Internet access within the DLI building.

[/size]Prof Lawal presented a cash gift to the best overall student in 100-Level, Saheed Olatunji. The N108,500 cheque was collected on Saheed’s behalf by his class governor, Ikenna Omalichanwa. Other students won prizes such as laptops, blackberry phones, internet modems, flash drives and dictionaries.

[/size]In a chat with CAMPUSLIFE, Prof Lawal said: “DLI is the available option for higher education across the world. It is a form of education for students who cannot join their counterparts in regular programmes. They can take advantage of the arrangement and structures of distant learning to upgrade themselves.”

[/size]The Deputy Director of the institute, Dr K. Kuton, urged the students to remain steadfast and promised that the Senate would soon approve their results.  He told CAMPUSLIFE that the seminar was to make sure all students have access to education.

[/size]The president of DLI students, Suiamon Sheriff, said: “This e-learning is one of the criteria of accreditation of DLI. If you want DLI students in Ibadan, Akure and other parts of the country to come to Lagos and go back, the risk of traveling and chance of getting appropriate lecture is also a problem, so the NUC said all distant learning institute should be online.

[/size]“The management of UNILAG is ready to go e-learning. Most of our students are now aware that there is going to be a change, there is not going to be face-to-face lecture again.  We give thanks to Almighty God the event was successful. The students agreed that they have gained one or two things from our inspirational lectures.”

[/size]The seminar was not all about education alone. There was also time for comedy and entertainment. Comedian MC Abulo treated the audience to different jokes which threw the hall into frenzy. He was assisted by MCs’ Mario and Omowumi.



TheNation

[TheNation]