The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has disclosed that it is opening linkages with universities in the United Kingdom and South Africa and establish study centres abroad in order to broaden its scope.
Its Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdalla Adamu made is disclosure while addressing journalists ahead of the institution’s convocation ceremony billed for 20th January at its headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.
Among the institutions are Sussex University, UK, Open University of UK, and the University of South Africa.
Adamu added that the institution recently established Centre for Entrepreneurship Studies which would generate employment opportunities for graduates.
“Sussex University in the UK has reached out to us-to be its hub in Nigeria; Open University of UK, University of South Africa among other are partnering with us.
“We are expanding to create Diaspora study centres in Niger Republic, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Gambia, Senegal, among others.
“These are still subject to approval from the National Universities Commission, the Federal Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,’’ he said.
On the standoff between NOUN and the Council for Legal Education over the status of Law graduates, he said that the Nigerian Senate had passed the NOUN Act Amendment Bill.
He said once both chambers harmonise the bill, it would be sent for presidential assent.
Adamu said that once the amendment was signed into law, all controversies surrounding the Law programme as well that concerning the National Youth Service Corps would be resolved.
Meanwhile, 14,771 persons are expected to receive honours at the 7th convocation ceremony.
The VC said that was the highest ever in the history of the institution, and by extension, in any institution in Nigeria had ever graduated at a convocation ceremony.
