NOUN to hold virtual matriculation for new students on June 13

The management of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) says the virtual matriculation of new students is to be held on June 13, in line with the COVID-19 lockdown protocols.

A statement by Ibrahim Sheme, the NOUN director of media and publicity, said the development was due to the current lockdown of the education system.

Sheme explained that during the matriculation, Abdalla Adamu, the vice-chancellor, would deliver an address, followed by administering of oaths on the matriculating students by Felix Idoka, the registrar.

He said the activities would be conducted virtually and beamed live through zoom from remote locations without the students being physically present.

Sheme advised students to download the zoom app to enable them to participate from home or any other location, adding that the application password would be communicated to them soon.

Meanwhile, the university has withdrawn its earlier announcement that students could collect academic gowns from their various study centres for the matriculation ceremony, saying it was issued in error.

A statement from the registrar’s office noted that it would be impossible to conduct an exercise of that nature physically, due to the lockdown.

“The centre directors have been told not to open any study centre or allow a gathering of students until the ban on all tertiary institutions is lifted by the Federal Government,” Sheme said.