NOUN VC Inaugurates Cutting-Edge ACETEL Laboratories to Boost Digital Learning
He highlighted the unique nature of the MSc and PhD programs offered by the centre and described ACETEL as a "postgraduate facility for the progressives." He also urged the leadership of ACETEL to foster collaboration with the university's faculties.
Binye-lum 
The Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Olufemi Peters, has inaugurated seven newly-established laboratories under the Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL). The commissioning ceremony took place at the NOUN headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.
The laboratories commissioned include the Management Information Systems (MIS) Laboratory, Cybersecurity Laboratory, Virtual Reality Laboratory, ACETEL Basic Laboratory, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, ACETEL - CISCO Academy, and the Multimedia Laboratory. These facilities are part of ACETEL's continuous efforts to enhance the academic and research capabilities of the university.
In his remarks, Professor Peters expressed his gratitude to the World Bank for supporting the establishment of ACETEL at NOUN and commended the centre for its dedication to fulfilling its mandate. He highlighted the unique nature of the MSc and PhD programs offered by the centre and described ACETEL as a "postgraduate facility for the progressives." He also urged the leadership of ACETEL to foster collaboration with the university's faculties.
Following the commissioning, Professor Peters toured the laboratories, inspecting the equipment and engaging with ACETEL staff and students who demonstrated the labs' capabilities and systems in operation.
Earlier in the event, ACETEL Director, Professor Grace Jokthan, provided a brief history of the centre, noting that ACETEL was established in 2019 as part of NOUN's response to the World Bank's Africa Centre of Excellence (ACE) Impact Project. She explained that although the centre was launched in 2019, it became fully operational in January 2021 due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and funding issues.
Professor Jokthan outlined ACETEL's mission to shape Africa's digital education future through its six MSc and PhD programs in Management Information Systems (MIS), Cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence. She emphasized that the centre's activities are driven by input from various stakeholders, including regional bodies, the National Universities Commission (NUC), the university, industry partners, and students.
She further disclosed that the centre has 256 students, including 47 regional students and 35 female students. The newly commissioned state-of-the-art laboratories are designed to support cutting-edge research and provide advanced learning opportunities for students and faculty.
The ceremony marks a significant milestone in NOUN's efforts to remain at the forefront of digital education and research in Africa.
