The University of Ibadan students have been charged to embrace the distance learning mode of study as the institution could only admit 3,000, out of over 33,000 candidates that have applied for admission for the next academic session. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), University of Ibadan, Professor Gbemisola Oke on Friday, gave this admonition, during the 2015 annual stakeholders’ forum, organised by the Distance Learning Centre (DLC) of the institution. At the new complex of the centre, located on Sasa- Ajibode road, Ibadan, where the event was held, she urged prospective students who met admission requirements, but could not unfortunately gain admission to embrace Distance Learning mode of study as alternative. “If we can’t meet the need of our people through the regular face to face mode, then we should use the Open Distance Learning (ODL). Education drives growth and development and it must be at the centre for any nation to make advancement,” she said. She added: “The University would ensure qualitative and standard distance learning education, with strict adherence to the mandate of the nation’s premier university.” Delivering a paper entitled ‘Accessibility and Openness of the ODL Practice’, former Director of Distance Learning Centre, Professor Francis Egbokhare admitted that establishment of private universities as solution to non-accessibility to university education by Nigeria youths had failed, saying that it could be ascertained from the low patronage of private universities. He added: “Only three per cent of the total population of candidates seeking admission through JAMB chose private universities. The solution is, government should look for ways of expanding the existing ODL facilities to be able to accommodate more candidates.” Meanwhile, the Director of the centre, Professor Bayo Okunade, had said in his opening remark that, the forum was aimed at fast tracking the process of change being witnessed at the centre. “The centre has advanced tremendously. We must do it right in order to justify the purpose of our existence, and this is why we are here to brainstorm and engage ideas on both our challenges and prospects.” www.newsexpressngr.com/news/detail.php?news=13806

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