A two-member delegation from the Ernest Bia Koroma University in Sierra Leone have paid a visit to the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) headquarters to explore and learn from its Open and Distance Learning (ODL) model.

The delegation, consisting of Professor Enoch T. Iortyom, the Dean of Postgraduates Studies, and Mr. Mohammed Toure, a Systems Management expert, engaged in an in-depth discussions with various departments and key officials in NOUN, including the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters.

The visit marked a significant step towards the Sierra Leonean university’s goal of establishing its own ODL framework, drawing inspiration from NOUN’s successful implementation.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, welcomed the duo and emphasizsd the importance of international collaboration in the field of education.

“NOUN has always been committed to fostering educational advancement not just within Nigeria but across Africa. We are honoured to assist our Sierra Leonean counterparts in their pursuit of developing an ODL model that will expand access to education in their country,” he said.

Peters further highlighted the significance of ODL in transforming education, making it accessible to students who might otherwise be excluded due to geographical, financial, or other barriers.

During the visit, the guests engaged with various departments in the university to understand the operational and strategic frameworks that have enabled the university to scale its ODL programmes effectively.

NOUN’s Director of Academic Planning,  Prof Gregory Okagbare, provided an overview of the university’s academic structure and the strategic planning processes that sustain its ODL model.

“Our approach to academic planning is centred around flexibility and inclusivity. We ensure that our curriculum is designed to meet the diverse needs of our students, who are often balancing education with work and family responsibilities,” he explained.

On her part, Mrs. Margaret Ileka , Director of Advancement and Linkages, highlighted the importance of building strong networks and partnerships to enhance the reach and quality of ODL programmes.

She said “At NOUN, we have established robust linkages with various educational institutions, both locally and internationally. These collaborations have been instrumental in enhancing our academic offerings and providing our students with opportunities for global exposure."

 The Director of Learning Content Management Systems (DLCMS), Dr. Lukumon Bello, also provided a detailed overview of the university’s ODL model, and explained the strategic integration of technology that has enabled NOUN to deliver quality education to students regardless of their location.

“In building our ODL system, we have focused on creating an inclusive learning environment that leverages digital tools to provide access to a wide array of educational resources. Our Learning Management System (LMS) is designed to facilitate interactive learning, enabling students to engage with content, instructors, and peers in meaningful ways.

“We are excited to share these insights and collaborate on developing a similar model tailored to the needs of Sierra Leone," Bello said. 

There were presentations from the Director of Printing Press, Prof . Olubiyi Adewale, Acting Director of the Management Information Systems (MIS), Mr. Adeyinka Adegboyeojo as well as the representative of the Director of ICT, Mr. I. K.J Odogwu

Speaking on behalf of the Sierra Leonean team, Prof. Iortyom expressed appreciation for the insights gained during the visit.

He said “We are incredibly grateful to NOUN for sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience with us. This visit has provided us with invaluable guidance on how to structure and implement our own ODL model, which we believe will greatly benefit our students.”

It climaxed ended with a discussion on the possible future collaboration between the two institutions, as both parties expressed a strong commitment to building on the foundations laid during this visit.