No Distinction Between On-campus, DLC Students, UI Assures Admission Seekers

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, on Friday, assured candidates seeking admission into the institution via its Open Distance eLearning mode that they will enjoy equal rights and privileges as their counterparts on the main campus.

Adebowale said distance learning students receive the same certificate as on-campus students upon completion of their programmes, adding that they are also eligible for one-year compulsory NYSC service, as their counterparts in regular mode.

Speaking in Ibadan while addressing journalists at the Centre, Adebowale noted that admission seekers can take advantage of either the traditional physical classroom mode which requires UTME or the advantage of the flexible learning opportunities offered by the UIDLC, which combines both online and offline instruction, but does not require UTME.

“There will be no distinction between DLC students and their counterparts on the main campus. They will have access to the same quality of education, same resources, and same opportunities,” he said.

He clarifies that the physical classroom mode has a limited capacity due to infrastructure constraints, necessitating the use of JAMB UTME and POST UTME to select from eligible candidates so that, for instance, classes are not jam-packed.

“Conversely, our Open Distance eLearning mode leverages virtual technology to deliver curriculum by the same lecturers to students regardless of their location. While the physical classroom mode is confined by physical space limitations, the ODeL mode offers a virtual, open, and borderless learning environment, taught by the same esteemed UI lecturers,” the VC explained.

In his remark, the Director of UI DLC, Prof. Babatunde Omobowale said the Centre had expanded access to quality education for working professionals, entrepreneurs, and those in remote areas.

“The UI ODeL has become a beacon of hope for those seeking higher education despite physical or logistical constraints,” he said.

Omobowale said UI DLC remained part of UI, adding that one of the advantages of ODeL was that candidates don’t need to sit for UTME before they can be admitted to the University of Ibadan.

“If anybody did not write the JAMB UTME, you can come and sit for our examination, if you pass, then you will be admitted into the University, we organise our entrance exam, and if you pass it, you will be admitted to UI through the DLC,” he said.

He, however, urged candidates who have sat for UTME and scored 40 or above but didn’t meet the cut-off but still have a desire in University education to switch their mode of study to UI-ODeL and come in through UIDLC.

“They should be rest assured that their UI education through ODeL will hold the same value and prestige as that of their on-campus counterparts,” he added.

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