By Felix Khanoba
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) says it has detected attempts by some students to breach the university’s Tutor-Marked Assignment (TMA) platform.
Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, made this known during a virtual town hall meeting with the students of the university on Saturday.
The VC said the attempted moves to compromise the integrity of the TMA platform included the use of automated systems to generate responses, third-party participation in assignments, and other irregular activities that undermined the examination process.
“The University Senate’s initial response was to cancel all TMA scores of the affected students. However, rather than awarding them zero marks,it was decided to adjust their examination scores, allowing students to be graded out of 100 instead of the usual 70 or 60,” a statement issued on Monday by Ibrahim Sheme, NOUN’s Director of Media and Publicity, quoted the VC to have said.
He added that the university remains committed to upholding the integrity of its academic processes, adding, “We will take similar decisive actions if necessary, as it is vital to protect the integrity of our academic certificates and the reputation of the institution.”
Speaking further, Prof. Peters assured the students of the institution that the management is working hard to resolve all their concerns on exams, course materials, technical glitches with the university portal, and others.
On the challenge confronting some students regarding Computer-Based Test (CBT), which is largely due to inadequate guidance and a lack of familiarity with exam procedures, the VC assured them that improvements are underway, particularly with transitioning course materials.
“We understand the frustrations some of you face due to the use of outdated course materials during exams. This is a result of the three-year cycle we use for reviewing the question bank. The solution is not lost, and we will make the necessary adjustments,” he explained.
He also addressed the issue of delays in refunding leftover funds in students’ wallets, citing the need for a thorough verification process before disbursements can be approved.
He assured the students that their refunds, including academic account balances, would be processed as quickly as possible once the necessary clearances are completed.
On the distribution of course materials, the vice-chancellor revealed plans to streamline logistics.
Peters revealed that the university is exploring options to personalise the delivery process while keeping production costs manageable, saying, “We must ensure materials are distributed effectively without waste, as volume plays a crucial role in production costs.”
In response to a student’s inquiry about General Studies (GST) courses, the VC explained that certain courses must be completed to maintain accreditation standards.
He urged the students to complete those courses to avoid potential issues with graduation or certification.
He acknowledged the technical glitches with the student portal and other logistical challenges affecting exam scheduling and reassured students that the university is working on resolving the issues and improve communication through official NOUN emails.
He also expressed the university’s commitment to facilitating smooth transition for students entering at advanced levels and considering recommendations for streamlining graduation requirements.
The VC expressed gratitude for the active participation of students in the meeting and assured them that their concerns were being taken seriously.
He highlighted the university’s success and its efforts to expand services and improve infrastructure through partnerships with agencies like the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
The AUTHORITY reports that the innovative meeting, which was called to address a broad range of students’ concerns, highlighted the NOUN management’s efforts to improve examination systems, course material distribution, and refund processes.
