Caleb University: How we are fighting COVID-19

Nosa Owens-Ibie, vice-chancellor of Caleb University, Imota, Lagos state, says the institution’s ability to leverage on e-learning was key to its smooth operations amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Owens-Ibie, while responding to questions from journalists during a media chat, said the dawn of the pandemic has demonstrated the need for educational institutions in Nigeria to thinker innovative ways of sustaining their activities in the face of pandemic.

“I think it is important for institutions to target people who are creative and proactive enough whenever there is a challenge,” he said.

“And I tell you, the beauty about globalisation is that there is nothing that they are doing in the US that you can’t do here. It is all about the knowledge and approach that you have got.

“Even when we resume, and that answers another question, e-learning is here to stay, we are not going to exit what is the only major option that we have in the world today. We are going to continue to blend them. So, we are going to have a mix of the classroom and that of the e-learning”

According to him, Caleb University has been able to hold academic and other social activities for its undergraduate and post graduate students as well as committee meetings.

“We have an e-learning system that we are proud of. It was a product of necessity. But we are happy we didn’t miss a school day in the semester because we are not ready. In fact, God help us and we started our semester on time and we are ending it on schedule,” he said.

Owens-Ibie said the institution also maintained strict compliance the stipulated guidelines to contain spread of the coronavirus pandemic on campus, adding that three people have been ejected for violating such directives.

The VC said the varsity has also launched two mobile applications — Caleb Watch and Caleb Connect – on Google Play Store to fast-track learning and responses to health issues concerning the novel disease among staff and student of the institution.

The VC also addressed concerns by some parents over accommodation, school fees and charges for the institution’s ongoing project, stressing the need for more understanding between the parents’ forum and the varsity’s leadership.

He added that the launch of the mobile applications and other measures were to help chart a new course forward in how the institution interact with students as well as other stakeholders including the parents’ forum.

“About the group of concerned parents and students who had some complaints concerning accommodation fees, they were told that if they had paid their fees already, their money could be paid back or carried forward. I even explained to the leader of the group what we have done and the students are aware,” he said.

“Even as at today, there are a number of students who have not paid a kobo out of their school fees, but are granted access to school activities.”

He said the school has already put in place measures which are line with federal government’s safety directives for its students and staff ahead of resumption with a view to further combating spread of the virus.