The Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters, has approved the creation of Learner Support for Special Needs Unit in the Directorate of Learner Support Services with the aim of adopting flexibility, inclusivity, accessibility and equity in education.

This was contained in a memo dated 18th September, 2023, tagged: “Internal Vacancy Announcement,” and signed by the Ag. Human Resources director, Dr. Muwiya Akintola on behalf of the Registrar, Mr. Oladipo Ajayi.

“I write to inform the university community that the Vice-Chancellor has approved the creation of ‘Learner Support for Special Needs’ unit in the Directorate of Learner Support Services,’’ the memo said.

The new unit, which is under the supervision of the Ag. LSS director, Dr. Sefinat Omuya, is headed by the Principal Assistant Registrar (PAR), Mrs. Christy Uzoukwu.

NOUN News correspondent gathered that the unit will render services aimed at ensuring academic excellence and effective social interaction with other learners and will be responsible for providing adequate support to learners with special needs.

Providing an inclusive learning environment with equal access to education and resources for learners with special needs also form part of their mission statement.

The unit in its entirety will render the following support services to learners with special needs in the university: pre admission stage, identification and collation of students with special needs, collating the total number of students with special needs to enable for easy planning based on their unique needs, orientation stage and matriculation stage.

It will also ensure that learners with special needs are not discriminated against during matriculation and to be guided on how to complete and sign the matriculation oath.

The unit will also provide technical support in collaboration with counsellors, guides learners with special needs at the study centre on how to resolve additional challenges that may arise during the course of their programmes in NOUN.

Meanwhile the unit can be contacted via the email: LSSNU@noun.edu.ng. Phone: 08112931897; 07035403091; 08033970264