The first privately-owned university in Oyo state, Lead City University, Ibadan, on Thursday, disclosed that its Open and Distance Learning Programme is expected to commence very soon.

Professor Kabiru Adeyemo , the Vice Chancellor of the institution, who disclosed this during a ‘breakfast media chat’  organised by the Southwest Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, also noted that the programme would assuage the yearnings of Nigerians, especially those who are outside the country, by providing quality education and skills they need, no matter their status or circumstances.

“All our programmes are domiciled on the campus,  we don’t have any programme outside the campus; but we are highly effective on online teaching. For now we are trying  to apply NUC for distance learning so that people that are outside Nigeria will be able to have access to us in terms of quality education that will develop students’ competencies and skills that they needed for a successful life and satisfying employment”, Adeyemo said.

As part of its commitment to ensure uninterrupted academic activities capable of disrupting the university’s calendar for 2019/2020 academic session, the school administrator explained that Lead City University was the first institution in the state to commence online lectures during the period of COVID-19 lockdown in the country.

Speaking further, the university don ascribed quality teaching and learning to the rhythmic success stories recorded by Lead City University, adding that the citadel of learning has continued to attract highly qualified academic staff to all departments in addition to the pioneer staff who have been working tirelessly to lay a solid foundation of excellence that has enhanced the status of the institution among its peers.

“The University has also attracted a number of experienced senior academic staff from various Universities to take up lectureship position”.

He added, “many of our dedicated and resourceful academic staff carried out various cutting edge research that enhance life changing and value-based service in the year under review which resulted into notable inventions and innovations.

“There is a Quality Assurance Unit that monitors teaching to ensure that lectures and tutorials hold as at when due.  Co-teaching is also encouraged, at least two lecturers are assigned to teach a course to ensure quality. The University has a Centre for Entrepreneurship and Vocational Training. Students also graduate with at least two vocational skills based on their individual interests and choices”.

Professor Adeyemo informed that the institution has continued to explore partnerships and collaborations from across the world, stressing that the “ linkages and international collaborations foster global competency and the sharing of experiences towards the attainment of global academic best practices”.

This, he said, has provided opportunity for the staff and students to work with the best of their peers and to gain access to complementary resources, equipment and knowledge.

His words, “This is because of our belief that it is only through such partnerships and collaborations that the university can project itself within emerging global systems of higher education.  It is instructive to note that the University has several active Memoranda of Understanding with other Institutions both locally and internationally.

“The Lead City University, Ibadan has become a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. The Association of Commonwealth Universities provides and administers scholarships, academic research and leadership on issues in the sector, and promotes inter-university cooperation and the sharing of good practice, helping universities serve their communities”, the Vice Chancellor said

He hinted that the institution owns an effective system that forbids excuse or excuses, adding that the employees; both academic and non academic staff are expected to deliver.

“There is an effective system whereby there is no room for any excuse or excuses, and if anybody fails to perform his or her own duty it will affect the system. At Lead City University, we don’t take excuse, everybody must be on the same page because you’re expected to do what you’re being employed for.

“We want to make sure that we maximize and give our students the best, in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. When the students write the exams , lecturers will go and collect the exams and in two weeks, the result is ready”, Professor Adeyemo submitted.