The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is preparing to introduce a Postgraduate Diploma in Smart Education as part of a new initiative for teachers under the Teacher Internship Scheme. This move follows a formal agreement between NOUN and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions.
Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, Executive Secretary of UBEC, and Professor Olufemi Peters, Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, represented their organizations during the signing ceremony. The collaboration aims to enhance the quality of education in Nigeria by providing teachers with advanced skills in technology-driven learning. The Postgraduate Diploma in Smart Education will include a six-month Smart Education Primer course and a one-year Postgraduate Diploma as part of a two-year Teacher Internship Scheme.
This new capacity-building initiative is designed to equip teachers with the skills necessary for technology-based teaching in UBEC’s Model/Smart Schools and Effective Schools programs. According to Dr. Bobboyi, these programs will help teachers better prepare students to succeed in today’s complex and ever-changing world. The inclusion of technology in teaching and learning is expected to transform the Nigerian education system, promoting lifelong learning and improving educational outcomes.
Interns selected for this program will be education graduates, with the opportunity to increase their knowledge of Smart Education. The aim is to boost literacy in technology pedagogy in Nigerian schools. Graduates of the Teacher Internship Scheme will play key roles in Smart Schools and other educational facilities, ensuring that classrooms incorporate advanced technological tools for learning.
Dr. Bobboyi also encouraged the State Universal Basic Education Boards and other educational stakeholders to fully utilize the program’s graduates. He commended NOUN for its partnership in this effort and acknowledged the work of UBEC’s Digital Resource Centre, which has been instrumental in preparing teachers for this new educational model.
Professor Peters of NOUN highlighted that this collaboration is aligned with the mandates of both organizations, which focus on delivering quality education across different levels. He also pointed out that NOUN’s Faculty of Education is well-prepared to support schools, teachers, and other educational stakeholders through this innovative program.
