The Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters, has promised students that the university's administration will address all their issues, particularly those related to technical difficulties with the university portal.

This commitment was made during a virtual town hall meeting with students, as reported by the university on Monday.

Prof. Peters also indicated that matters concerning examinations, course materials, and other related topics would be resolved in the near future.

The innovative meeting aimed to tackle a wide array of student concerns and underscored the management's dedication to enhancing examination procedures, the distribution of course materials, and the refund process.

“We understand the frustrations some of you face due to the use of outdated course materials during exams.

“This is a result of the three-year cycle we use for reviewing the question bank.

“The solution is not lost, and we will make the necessary adjustments,” he said.

The vice-chancellor highlighted the university's dedication to addressing significant concerns raised by students and to enhancing the overall academic experience.

A major issue discussed was the difficulties students encounter with Computer-Based Tests (CBT), stemming from insufficient guidance and unfamiliarity with examination protocols.

The vice-chancellor urged students to carefully follow exam instructions and emphasized the necessity of complying with the guidelines outlined in the question papers.

He recognized the challenges associated with CBT but reassured that enhancements were in progress, especially regarding the transition of course materials.

Additionally, the vice-chancellor disclosed that the university had identified attempts to undermine the integrity of the Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) platform.

He detailed these attempts, which included the use of automated systems to generate answers, unauthorized third-party involvement in assignments, and other irregular practices that jeopardized the examination process.

“The University Senate’s initial response was to cancel all TMA scores of the affected students.

“However, rather than awarding them zero marks, it was decided to adjust their examination scores, allowing students to be graded out of 100 instead of the usual 70 or 60.”

The university continues to prioritize the integrity of its academic processes, he stated.

“We will take similar decisive actions if necessary, as it is vital to protect the integrity of our academic certificates and the reputation of the institution.”

He also discussed the challenges related to the delays in refunding remaining balances in students' accounts, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive verification process prior to approving any disbursements.

He reassured students that their refunds, which include balances from academic accounts, would be processed promptly following the required clearance.

Additionally, he outlined initiatives aimed at optimizing the logistics for the distribution of course materials

“Currently, materials are sent to state capitals, where students collect them from their respective study centres.”

Peters disclosed that the university was investigating ways to customize the delivery process while ensuring that production costs remain sustainable.

“We must ensure materials are distributed effectively without waste, as volume plays a crucial role in production costs.”

In response to a student's question regarding GST courses, the Vice Chancellor clarified that specific courses are required to uphold accreditation standards. He encouraged students to complete these courses to prevent any complications with their graduation or certification.

The Vice Chancellor acknowledged the technical difficulties with the student portal and other logistical issues impacting exam scheduling, assuring students that the university is actively addressing these problems. He stated that updates would be communicated via official NOUN emails.

Additionally, he emphasized the university's dedication to ensuring a seamless transition for students entering at advanced levels and mentioned that recommendations for streamlining graduation requirements are under consideration.

The Vice Chancellor expressed appreciation for the students' active engagement in the meeting and reassured them that their concerns are being taken seriously.

He also highlighted the university's achievements and its ongoing efforts to enhance services and infrastructure through collaborations with organizations such as TetFund.