Reverberating the theme of the yearlong celebration of the University of Lagos 60th Anniversary, which is “Eyes on the Future”, Professor Ayodele V. Atsenuwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), has charged young academics to help the University deliver the future, as they have been selected and entrusted with the responsibility to learn enhanced forms of teaching that transcend the present realities obtainable in the Nigerian classroom.
She made this call while delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, FAS, at the opening ceremony of the “Blended Learning Carpe Diem Workshop” organised for academic staff (Assistant Lecturer to Senior Lecturer Grades) across all faculties of the university.
The Workshop, which was hosted by the Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Centre (ESDC) of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), ensued from a partnership with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), UK as well as Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA), UK. The workshop is nested under the project, Partnerships for Enhanced and Blended Learning West Africa (PEBL-WA).
Speaking further on the importance of matching the future of learning with the future of work, Professor Atsenuwa informed the gathering that the Vice-Chancellor holds actualisation and success of the workshop dear as it had been in the works since Professor Ogunsola, FAS was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services).
Her words, “You are the future of the University of Lagos. This training, which is holding during the 60th anniversary of the university, is part of preparing for UNILAG at 100.”
Professor Atsenuwa referenced the rate at which the world is changing and how learning via traditional means was no longer efficient for the modern populace. In view of this, she harped on the necessity for the selected participants to approach the workshop as an important task that will guarantee the future of the university. The DVC encouraged participants to take advantage of the opportunity to understand the learning requirements for the present and thus prepare for the future.
Rounding off her inspiring speech, Professor Atsenuwa appreciated the Partnerships for Enhanced and Blended Learning (PEBL) for their graciousness in sharing the blended learning initiative with members of the university community. She invited all participants to bring their originality, creativity and ideas to shape the future of education to the fore.
The Director, Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Centre (ESDC), UNILAG, Professor Sunday Adebisi informed the gathering that about 10 to 12 participants were selected per faculty to make up a total of about one hundred and twenty-three (123) academic staff across all faculties. He gave a brief history of the pioneer episodes of the training and mentioned that the university had made great strides as the facilitators of the workshop were three (3) UNILAG staff already certified by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).
He charged participants to fully engage in the workshop as certification at the conclusion of the training will be determined by 75% participation in the 14 hours of the entire programme.
Thereafter, Professor Ayodele Atsenuwa, on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, FAS, presented certificates of completion of the programme “Developing Blended Learning” to the three ACU certified UNILAG facilitators. They are: Dr Oyekunle Yinusa of the Department of Adult Education; Dr Bukola Amao-Taiwo of the Department of Education Management, and Mrs. Omokhoba Blessing Yama, of the Department of Computer Science.
An additional certificate was presented to Dr. Yinusa and Amao-Taiwo for completing the course “the extended pathway of Developing Blended Learning” during the Developing Blended Learning programme.
These courses were offered during the Partnership for Enhanced and Blended Learning (PEBL) project under the auspices of the Association of Commonwealth Universities and the certification recognised by the Staff and Educational Development Association under the Professional Development Named Award “Developing People and Enhancing Practice (DEP).”
These certified facilitators took participants at the workshop through an engaging and stimulating session, modelled after the Latin aphorism, “carpe diem”, which is usually translated as “seize the day”. This was originally taken from Book 1 of the work titled “Odes” by a notable Roman poet in 42 BC, Quintus Horatius “Horace” Flaccus.
Participants were encouraged to seize the day, promote active learning and explore storyboarding as a technique to construct an immersive learning experience for their students. At the end of the workshop on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, participants were evaluated and awarded certificates.
