The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, has charged fresh students of the Distance Learning Centre to maintain a very good balance between their academic work, extracurricular activities, and social media.
He gave the charge in an address read on his behalf at the matriculation ceremony for fresh students of the Distance Learning Centre, who were offered admission into the sixteen programmes of the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode for the 2022/2023 academic session.
The address was read on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Professor Aderonke M. Baiyeroju.
Professor Adebowale said the matriculants should see their admission as a privilege to join the University of Ibadan, a trail blazer in the provision of quality tertiary education in Nigeria.
He noted that out of the candidates offered admission, more than 1,500 have paid their school fees and have been duly registered into the sixteen programmes, under the ODL mode of study, which were revalidated by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in July, 2023.
The Vice-Chancellor reiterated that the mode of study is Open and Distance Learning (ODL), where content is delivered both physically in class and online.
He said this mode offers students flexibility but calls for a higher level of responsibility because students would be required to dedicate themselves to timely and appropriate use of their course materials and other teaching aids.
Professor Adebowale said the Matriculation Ceremony is significant because it marks the official induction of the Learners into the vibrant community of scholars where dreams would be nurtured, knowledge acquired, and friendships forged.
He said he was optimistic that the Learners will acquire not only the knowledge and skills and good character but also the grace to nurture their dreams, forge long lasting friendships and acquire the ability to cope with the challenges of the modern world and global competition.
Professor Adebowale proudly stated that the Distance Learning Centre of the University of Ibadan is the foremost ODL education provider in the country adding that UI ODL, having existed for over 35 years, has been the benchmark upon which other ODL Centres in the country are rated.
The Centre has graduated over fifteen thousand learners and many of whom have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers.
The highlight of the matriculation ceremony was the administration of the Matriculation Oath to the students on behalf of the Registrar, Mr. Ganiu O. Saliu by a Deputy Registrar and former Secretary to the DLC, Mrs Francisca I. Ayodele.
The matriculants were expected to complete their induction with the signing of the matriculation registers and the validation of the Matriculation Oath by a court of law.
