The African Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL), hosted by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has achieved a significant milestone in advancing the university’s technological infrastructure. ACETEL has successfully developed a new Data Centre and an enhanced Application and Registration Portal to improve the university’s operational efficiency.
The innovations were inaugurated by NOUN’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olufemi Peters, during a brief ceremony at the University Headquarters in Abuja. These new systems aim to streamline operations and provide more seamless services to NOUN’s diverse stakeholders.
Professor Peters highlighted the importance of the new tools, noting that they were designed to address challenges faced by the university, particularly for its international students. ACETEL has more than 150 international students, and the new IT solutions aim to simplify their payment process, especially for tuition fees, which previously posed difficulties.
He commended the National Universities Commission (NUC) for facilitating the project and congratulated the newly appointed Executive Secretary of the Commission. Peters explained that the new registration portal and data centre are part of a broader effort to modernize NOUN’s services, particularly in accommodating foreign students and ensuring operational efficiency.
The new remittance portal will allow international students to make payments in foreign currencies, addressing the challenges of the system which primarily operates in Naira. This development marks a pilot phase for a larger implementation plan across the university. According to Peters, the launch will make it easier for international students to access lectures and academic services directly.
The newly launched data centre also plays a critical role in NOUN’s IT infrastructure. Professor Peters explained that while the university previously had a data centre when it was based in Lagos, the new localised data centre provides better control over the institution’s data, which is crucial for the university’s IT-based services. This facility integrates all university units, focusing on data analytics and ensuring continuous access to data even if there are cloud issues.
The data centre will enable NOUN to maintain control over its data, enhancing operational efficiency and supporting the university’s focus on personalised and adaptive learning.
ACETEL Director, Professor Grace Jokthan, expressed her satisfaction with the progress, stating that the new systems will ease the workload and improve the cost-effectiveness of university operations. She also emphasized that continued collaboration among university directorates will ensure the optimal use of the new systems, particularly the data centre, which will support data analytics, decision-making, and overall efficiency in university operations.
