Four new programmes for ABU Distance Learning Centre coming
• As NUC concludes prevalidation assessment of such courses
A five-member team from the National Universities Commission (NUC) has concluded the prevalidation assessment in preparation for the commencement of four additional academic programmes at the Distance Learning Centre (DLC), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The four new programmes are B.Sc. Mass Communication, Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS), Master in Accounting, and Master in Disaster Risk Management (MDRM).
This will bring to 22 the total number of academic programmes run by the institution’s distance learning body. The ABU Distance Learning Centre, which began operations in 2016, had only six programmes as of 2020.
Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Bashir, leader of the team, yesterday told the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, at the exit visit that they were impressed with most of the documents and facilities assessed by the team.
The team leader also explained that they were really satisfied with the quality of interaction they had with the staff of the Distance Learning Centre and the level of their preparedness for the new programmes.
Prof. Bashir described as “excellent” the facilities at the e-section of Kashim Ibrahim Library, and stressed that everything was working perfectly there for the good of the open distance and e-learning programme.
He, however, identified some few grey areas which he said the University should address for the smooth running of the new programmes.
Some of the places the prevalidation team visited apart from the Distance Learning Centre included Kashim Ibrahim Library, Theatre and Performing Arts Studio, ABU BBC Studio, and ABU Smart Classroom.
The team members were earlier at the Senate Building where they paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala.
In his response during the exit visit, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, who was aby represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Ahmed Doko Ibrahim, said that the University had taken note of all the observations and that they would engage experts to help address such grey areas.
Other members of the NUC revalidation team included the Deputy Director, Open Distance Learning and e-Learning, NUC, Tukur Ladan, NUC; Benjamin Agata, NUC; Musa Alkali Usman, NUC; and Ayeni Olarenwaju, NUC.
Those present at the exit visit were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Raymond B. Bako; Ag. University Librarian, Dr. Abdulhamid L. Gambo; Director, Distance Learning Centre, Prof. Mohammed I. Sule; and DLC Secretary, Aishat I. Baballe.
They also included Deputy Director, Academic, Distance Learning Centre, Prof. M.B. Dewu; Deputy Director, Learner Support and IT, Distance Learning Centre, Prof. S.A. Shika; and Finance Officer, Distance Learning Centre, Malam Shehu Yahaya.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Wednesday, 3rd April, 2024
