It has been observed that the "do-it-yourself" method of learning by students of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is giving them a competitive advantage over their counterparts in the conventional university system.

This observation was made by the Centre Director, Port Harcourt Study Centre of the university, Dr. Theresa Ucheoma Ettu, during its Students' Forum organised on Friday, November 8, 2024, by the centre.

The meeting aimed to brief students on the forthcoming 2024_2 examinations commencing on November 22, 2024 and other sundry academic issues.

She stated that unemployability of university graduates is not an issue in NOUN as the self-tutoring method of instructional delivery in the university has placed its products far ahead of their counterparts in the conventional university system.

"Any graduate who passed through NOUN and did what was expected of him/her in their days as students cannot be unemployable. NOUN graduates always stand out in their chosen fields," she said.

Ettu appealed to students to always show understanding and remain calm especially over the glitches recently witnessed on the the university website, adding that the management was on top of the situation.

"The University was so concerned about it that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, had to hold a meeting with all students of the university nationwide. No other Vice-Chancellor or university has ever done that. The gesture of the Vice-Chancellor is a testament to how the university values its students," the director said.

She admonished the students to reciprocate the gesture of the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management by being serious, studious and shunning all forms of examinations misconduct.

Other officers who made presentations at the forum include: the Deputy Bursar, Mr. Emezuoke Mpamaugo, the Senior Assistant Registrar, Mrs. Mary Bassey,the Principal Counselor, Mr. Udoh Ndaeyo Okobo and the Senior Network Administrator, Mr. Ifeanyi Okorie.

Mr. Ikenna Ndubuisi, who spoke on behalf of the students in a vote of thanks, commended the the Centre Director and her team on their thoughtfulness in organising the forum and prayed that the event should be held every semester to sensitise students on the operations of the university and what is expected of them.