EKSU DDL: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats

1. EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI DIRECTORATE OF DISTANCE LEARNING [DDL] S W O T ANALYSIS Prof. J. B. Ayodele Director, DDL

2. Preamble EKSU, DDL • Proposal for distance learning programme was approved by Senate on 30th May, 2013, and Governing Council on 11th September, 2013. • Distance learning programme aims at making higher education accessible and affordable to eligible citizens. • Some notable activities since the inception of the Directorate of Distance Learning: • University-wide sensitisation and formal inauguration (30/9/2014) • Benchmark training/visits to OAU Ife, University of Ibadan and UNISA (September, 2014 to May, 2015) • ODL Advocacy and Training Workshop for Course Development Team (7—8 July, 2015).

3. CURRENT IGR STATUS • Distance Learning is at the budding stage; • It has a very high prospect of becoming an IGR hub for the University; • Investment in the Unit is a worthwhile venture. Expected Surplus (2016/2017 to 2020/2021)

4. Strengths EKSU, DDL • Pool of trainable and dedicated staff (academic, non-teaching and technical) in the University. • Selected programmes for take-off have full NUC accreditation. • University management has the strong will and commitment to ensure success. • Directorate staff, with strong leadership, are committed to success of Open and Distance Education (O&DE).

5. EKSU, DDL Weaknesses • Lack of trained personnel for Students Support Services. • Inadequate trained staff on Open and Distance Education (O&DE). • Lack of trained Multimedia and ICT staff for distance learning programme. • Unreliable internet services in the University--low Bandwidth. • No Webportal for the distance learning programme. • Inadequate ICT skills for staff (academic and non-academic) and students. • Lack of e-learning compatible course content. • Inadequate funding. • No dedicated account for the Unit for effectiveness of day-to-day operations. • High cost of procurement and maintenance of internet facilities. • High cost of production of quality e-learning materials. • Unreliable power supply. • Apathy of some staff to take up career in O&DE. • Fear of losing intellectual property right on course materials.

6. EKSU, DDL Opportunities • Increased demand for lifelong education. • Increased demand for additional skills and knowledge by the working class. • Conventional universities do not have the carrying capacity to admit more than 10% of qualified applicants. • No admission quota in distance learning programmes. • The National Universities Commission (NUC) is interested in Open and Distance Education (O&DE). • The use of ICT to maximise utilisation of resources. • Globalisation of education ensures access to Open Education Resources (OER) for lecturers and students. • Distance Learning is in tune with global trend to make instruction learner-driven.

7. EKSU, DDL Threats • The crisis of acceptability by stakeholders, who may not easily adapt to change. • Tedious approval process by the NUC. • NUC requirements involve huge capital outlay to fulfil. • Unreliable power supply. • Inadequate budgetary allocation to the University to meet its increasing financial obligations.

8. EKSU, DDL • Recruitment of specialised core staff (academic, administrative and technical) who will be exposed to regular and continuous training and retraining in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) delivery. • Provision of more reliable ICT infrastructure with higher bandwidth. • Dedicated Portal with uninterrupted internet service. • A well-equipped Educational Media and Technology Centre. • A Distance Learning Centre with state-of-the-art structures, facilities and equipment. • Adequate funding. • Dedicated account for the Unit to facilitate effective day-to-day operations. Way Forward

9. T H A N K Y O U