NOUN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, who launched the
e-ticketing platform at the university’s headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, described
the digital platform as an innovation that will herald greater transformation
in NOUN operations, thus providing opportunity for improved services to
students and other stakeholders.
He said that the students of the institution will,
henceforth, heave a sigh of relief as the e-ticketing platform will address
their various complaints without delay as being the experienced in the past.
Prof. Peters said the e-ticketing is in tandem with the
tenet of Open and Distance Learning (ODL), adding that it is one of the
kernels, one of the pillars of ODL, which is learner support services.
He added that since students are not present to lodge their
complaints as it’s done in conventional universities where students move to
departments to ask questions, there must be effort to bridge the distance
between students and the university.
“Therefore, the university must make every effort to bridge
the distance between where the students live and the campus. This is the
essence of what we have done, bridging the gap and distance.
“We cannot stop the complaints of students, but what we want
to do is that, if they have any complaint, we resolve it as quickly as possible
so that they can be rest assured that we have their interest in mind.”
The VC expressed optimism and satisfaction on the ability of
agents and supervisors to deliver based on their training, and promised to give
them the necessary support through further training with a view to perfecting
the e-ticketing platform.
He warned against frequent transfer of staff, particularly
trained ones, from the Department to elsewhere. “You can’t be transferring
people from this unit anyhow because they have gone through training and they
are familiar with the processes already. We are going to restructure and make
it in such away that certain position becomes professional position in this
university.”
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Technology, Innovation &
Research (TIR), Prof. Monioluwa Olaniyi, described the e-ticketing system as a
“landmark” and “very important,” adding that the system is designed to ensure
student’s complaints are brought to zero level.
While thanking stakeholders for their contributions towards
the success of the e-ticketing training-cum-launching, Prof. Olaniyi said the
new system will address several challenges.
On his part, the Deputy Director, Directorate of Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) in the university, Mr. Sule Onu, who
coordinated the training, lauded the e-ticketing platform, adding, “This system
will be integrated in all our delivery portals.”
Meanwhile, the Director, Information and Communication
Technology (ICT), Dr. Greg Onwodi, thanked the Vice-Chancellor and NOUN
management for their contributions towards the success of e-ticketing, noting
that several innovations have been taking place in his directorate.
During the two-day e-ticketing training workshop held for managers
and desk officers at the university headquarters in Abuja, the VC provided 25
laptop computers for agents, supervisors and custom users for quality service
delivery.