NUC okays six new programmes for Open University

• Expresses worry over LAUTECH’s protracted crisis
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has given approval to the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to commence six academic programmes beginning from the current session.

The six programmes are: accounting, banking and finance, business administration, marketing, public administration, and Hotel and Catering Management.

The university said with the approval given by the NUC, the institution has full accreditation to run the programmes for the next five years.

The NUC approval was conveyed to the vice chancellor of the university, Prof. Abdalla Adamu, in a letter signed by the NUC director of accreditation, Maryam Sali.

The NOUN director of media and publicity, Mr Ibrahim Sheme said the score for each of the six programmes ranged from 78.7 per cent to 97.4 per cent.

He said, “The NUC has given full accreditation to six academic programmes at NOUN. The implication of this status is that NOUN now has the mandate to run these programmes for five years.

“The NUC has the statutory mandate to accredit academic programmes in all Nigerian universities. Certificates issued to students admitted into unaccredited programmes are not recognised.”

Prof Adamu expressed delight with the approval, saying this showed the readiness of NOUN to fulfil its obligations as a centre of excellence in the open and distant learning mode of education.

Meanwhile, the commission has expressed worry over the protracted ownership crisis rocking the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso.

The NUC said the crisis had stunted the growth of the university, which is jointly owned by Oyo and Osun States.

Prof Rasheed during a visit to the university said the commission was committed to finding a lasting solution to the crisis in the school.

Represented by the deputy executive secretary (Academics) , Dr Suleiman  Ramon-Yusuf, the NUC chief lamented that the commission was bothered by the instability in the academic calendars of LAUTECH, because of its effects on the students as well as the staff of the institution.

He said, “We are bothered that the potential and growth of this promising institution are stunted by a crisis that is needless but becoming protracted and we are determined to bring LAUTECH back on track.

“Our business at this time is to explore all avenues to resolve this crisis once and for all in order to ensure that students and staff of this institution are no longer exposed to further sufferings, and protect the interest of all stakeholders.”

The vice chancellor, Prof. Michael Ologunde, explained to the NUC team that the management was more committed to building a university that would be ranked among the best in the world.

Ologunde said despite the crisis, LAUTECH had continued to rank among the best varsities in the country, saying the feedback from employers of its graduates was always very good.