LASU phases out external system campuses

Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, has phased out its external system campuses, formerly known as school of part-time studies scattered across 14 centres in the state .
The cancellation was done in accordance with the approval of the university’s Senate.
LASU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun disclosed this in response to Daily Sun’s, enquiry on the status of the external system after expiration of the December 2016 deadline issued by the Senate for the 14 centres to stop operating.
It was also gathered that the decision to close down the 14 centres was also in line with a directive of the National Universities Commission (NUC) over “quality assurance” issues.  Months after, the university’s Senate has approved phasing out of the centres and replaced it with Distance Learning Institute.
Operation of the external system, whose courses were not accredited by the NUC, generated crisis between the commission and previous LASU management. Threat of wielding the big stick forced the Senate to approve its closure.
LASU operates 14 external system campuses located at Epe, Agege, Anthony, Badagry, Festac, Ikorodu, Ikoyi, Jibowu, Lekki, Ogba, Ojo, Surulere, Ilesha and Isolo.
Prof Fagbohun explained that the 14 external systems stopped admitting students long time ago after the Senate took the decision but did not state what would become of students still studying there.
He, however, confirmed that there are students in the external system who have completed their programmes but have not graduated because “they failed to provide their profile as required.”
The bulk of 28,300 first degree graduates for the forthcoming 21st convocation ceremony, according to him, are students from the external system campuses.
“We have substantially cleared the backlog of outstanding results of LASU external system,” the vice chancellor said. On phasing out of ‘pass grade,’ as directed by the NUC, Fagbohun said LASU has not started its implementation,. “Students admitted will have to pass out first before implementing the commission’s directive,” he said.
About 115 students will graduate at this week’s convocation ceremony with a pass grade, made up of 65 from Management Sciences, 31 in Faculty of Science, five in Faculty of Arts, Engineering Faculty produced four while three each are from Faculties of Law and School of Communication.