Babcock Varsity Open Distance e-learning Centre, British Council, Edutech, Techlink Collaborate, Train 179 In Infotech, Network Security, Others
Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta
The Babcock University Centre for Open Distance and e-Learning (BUCODel) in partnership with the British Council, Edutech and Techlink led to an impactful training of 179 learners in web design, 3D animation, graphic design, full stack development, network security and advanced data analysis in the outgone year.
The Director of the Centre, Professor Mobolanle Sotunsa, who revealed this in a statement on Sunday, said the centre received a training grant from the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) during the period under review.
Professor Sotunsa said over 100 learners have enrolled with the Centre in less than three years of securing approval from the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) to run MBA and B.Sc programmes.
These learners, according to her, are currently pursuing B.Sc programmes at different levels in Accounting, Computer Science as well as in the Masters of Business Administration (MBA) programme.
Professor Sotunsa further said there are groundwork for course materials and resources in 10 new B.Sc programmes, including Nursing (Direct Entry for licensed Nurses) among others this year.
She noted that BUCODel’s journey from 2021 till date reflected notable achievements in educational expansion, increased enrolments with noteworthy contribution in ODel space in Nigeria.
“BUCODel strategic roadmap emphasizes technological advancement, global collaborations and innovations, innovation-centred approach in its establishment as a Hub for pioneering online education,” she added.
Professor Sotunsa said all these achievements could not have been possible without the support of the governing board, the university management, faculty, staff and other stakeholders.
She disclosed that plans were underway to start certificate courses in ODeL, instructional design and content development, learner support mechanisms and fundamentals of e-learning under the BUCODel Training Institute.
The BUCODel’s director said turning the centre into a research and innovation hub solely dedicated to research in ODel and innovation was one of the lofty goals of her stewardship.
