ESUT Open & Distance Learning Centre Holds Workshop for E-facilitators
By Amaechi Agbo, Agbani
To facilitate its smooth take-off in the distance learning spectrum, the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT’s Open and Distance Learning Centre, ODL on Thursday held a one-day workshop for e-facilitators.
The programme which held at the ODL Centre, ESUT, Agbani, drew participants from different fields.
Declaring the workshop open, the Vice-Chancellor, ESUT, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie commended the centre in its effort to evolve but charged the board to leverage on its mandate to signpost the university globally.
The Vice-Chancellor represented by Mr Chibuzor Ogbodo, said the university would do its best to ensure that the centre took-off effectively.
In his address of welcome, the ODL Director, Prof Leonard Anigbo said that the workshop became expedient in order to bring the e-facilitators up to speed on wat are expected of them. He urged them to be proactive and leverage on the opportunities offered by the workshop to promote the centre.
In his lecture titled “Marketing ESUT ODL Programmes, The Holistic Approach”, Associate Professor Oluchukwu Ani, said that ODL Centre is an offshoot of the university.
He stressed on the advantages prospective students would have over other conventional regular students.
“ODL Centre ESUT offers our prospective students the opportunity to work and at the same time study without disruption in their work schedule. You need is a laptop and smart phone that can connect you to the internet and you will be studying from home or work place. ODL is insensitive to distance as you can join the school from anywhere in the world,” he explained.
Answering a question on the quality of the certificate to be obtained through ODL and if graduates could be mobilised for the compulsory national youth service, Prof Ani said “The certificate you obtain through ODL is same as BSc certificate regular students obtain. There is no distinction. Also, a graduate from ODL will be mobilised for the national youth service once you complete your clearance. However, you must be 30 years or below. ODL certificate is same ESUT certificate, it doesn’t bear ODL” he said.
Over 20 e-facilitators took part in the workshop.
