The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Sani Usman, has stated that the institution's vision is to become a leading centre of technological education in the North-East and one of the best polytechnics in Nigeria. He made this statement at a one-day capacity-building workshop on Open, Distance and Flexible E-Learning (ODFeL) for staff of the polytechnic. The workshop was held at the ASUP Secretariat on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, and was attended by various stakeholders.
According to the Rector, advances in technology have transformed education, making learning possible beyond the traditional classroom and fixed timetable. He noted that the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), is encouraging institutions to adopt ODFeL to expand access to quality technical education and meet the growing demand for skilled manpower.
The initiative, according to the Rector, will benefit people who face geographical, family or work-related barriers to conventional education, including residents of rural communities and civil servants seeking additional qualifications. He said ODFeL provides flexible and inclusive learning opportunities, enabling learners to acquire knowledge and skills regardless of their location or personal circumstances.
However, the Rector cautioned that ODFeL goes beyond uploading lecture notes in PDF format or conducting online classes through video-conferencing platforms. He stressed that these alone do not constitute a comprehensive e-learning system, and that an effective ODFeL system requires well-designed interactive learning materials, digital instructional resources, virtual laboratories, learner-support services, continuous assessment, and robust quality-assurance mechanisms.
The Rector emphasized that the system must produce graduates whose knowledge, skills, and competencies are comparable to those of students trained through conventional methods, in line with NBTE requirements. He said the workshop was designed to deepen staff understanding of ODFeL and equip them with the knowledge needed to develop effective online learning processes and support systems that ensure students acquire the required practical skills and competencies.
Earlier, Director of Programme, Dr Auwal Abdullahi, said the workshop marked a milestone in efforts to establish a sustainable, accessible, and quality-assured open and distance learning system at the polytechnic. Abdullahi added that ODFeL offered an opportunity to expand access to education, particularly for working professionals and other learners who may be unable to participate fully in conventional face-to-face learning.
The adoption of ODFeL by FedPoly Bauchi is a significant step towards achieving its vision of becoming a leading institution in technological education. The polytechnic's commitment to providing flexible and inclusive learning opportunities is expected to benefit a wide range of learners, including those in rural communities and civil servants seeking additional qualifications.
Key points
- The Rector of FedPoly Bauchi aims to make the institution the best polytechnic in North-East Nigeria.
