The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, has assured candidates seeking admission through the institution’s Open Distance eLearning platform that they will enjoy the same rights and privileges as students attending the traditional on-campus programmes.
According to The PUNCH, Adebowale emphasized that students enrolled in the ODeL programme will receive identical certificates upon completing their courses, and will also be eligible for the National Youth Service Corps just like their on-campus counterparts.
“There will be no distinction between DLC students and those on the main campus. They will have access to the same quality of education, resources, and opportunities,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
Adebowale further explained that while the traditional classroom setting is limited by infrastructure constraints, the ODeL platform offers a more flexible learning environment, allowing students to learn online without the need to sit for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
“Due to physical space limitations, we must rely on UTME and POST UTME to admit a manageable number of students for the on-campus mode. However, the ODeL mode leverages virtual technology, offering a borderless, open environment where students are taught by the same lecturers, regardless of their location,” he added.
Prof. Babatunde Omobowale, Director of the University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre, also highlighted the advantages of the ODeL mode for various groups, including professionals, entrepreneurs, and those residing in remote areas.
According to him, the Centre has expanded access to higher education for individuals who may otherwise face physical or logistical barriers.
“The UI ODeL has become a beacon of hope for those seeking higher education despite their constraints,” Omobowale said. He emphasized that prospective students do not need to pass the UTME to be admitted through the ODeL platform, as the Centre offers its own entrance exam.
“Candidates who have not taken the UTME can still apply to UI-DLC by sitting for our entrance exam. Once they pass, they will be admitted,” he explained.
Omobowale also urged candidates who scored 40 or above in UTME but failed to meet the university’s cut-off mark to consider switching to the ODeL platform, where they can still pursue their dream of obtaining a degree from the University of Ibadan.
“They can rest assured that their UI education through ODeL will be just as prestigious and valuable as the on-campus experience,” he concluded.
