The National Open University of Nigeria Alumni Association (NOUNAA) on Friday lamented that graduates of the university were being belittled by conventional universities’ graduates.
The President of NOUNAA, Mr Fidelis Agunbiade, told newsmen at a news conference in Abuja that looking down on graduates from the university was an unhealthy development for the nation’s education sector.
Agunbiade said there must not be any discrimination among graduates from various universities.
He said denigrating NOUN graduates because it was a distance learning programme would not augur well for the nation’s education.
“The issue of superiority exhibited by those in conventional universities must be dealt with because graduates of NOUN are often better equipped.’’
According to the NOUNAA president, all the anomalies recorded in conventional universities like bribery, sexual harassment, corruption among others were alien to NOUN students.
He said this was because NOUN was a distance learning programme and no one had the time to be engaged in any frivolities or anomalies.
Agunbiade said the association was most concerned in the development of its alma mater, adding that it produced the best of graduates through the best system.
“We are completely focused on building and maintaining a cordial relationship with NOUN and partnering with them in order to consistently add value to our degree qualifications,’’ he said.
Agunbiade said recent developments in the school had shown that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Abdalla, “is a man with great vision and good service orientation’’.
“The transformation he has brought to NOUN is evident for all to see, we have no doubt that the university will be galvanised into greater heights under his tenure.’’
The NOUNAA President congratulated former President Olusegun Obasanjo as he bagged his PhD in Christian Theology from the school.
He said Obasanjo had enrolled for his PhD in Theology a few years ago and on Jan. 20 he would be conferred with the academic honour after a rigorous defence of his thesis.
According to Agunbiade, this is an uncommon feet by an octogenarian, making him a role model indeed and a shining example man’s achievement.
He called on the National Assembly to quickly pass the law that would allow NOUN law graduates enrol in law school and the Federal Government to increase funding for NOUN.
