NOUN: Faculty of Sciences’ practical takes centre stage in South-west

The Faculty of Sciences, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), on Monday, August 22, 2022 commenced the second-semester science practical exercise in the South-western region at the laboratory centre, Lagos office. Former Head of Chemistry Department, Dr. Uduak Aletan, said three courses are currently being taken this semester by year-one students and listed the courses as Biology, Chemistry and Physics. “Due to the timetable schedule, we have to work around the clock but students cannot cope with that so we grouped them according to the courses. “When they finish one course, they swap to the next class. That way, we’re not over-crowded and students keep working,” she said. Aletan added that the practicals are mandatory for all students undertaking science courses. A Biology lecturer in the Department of Pure and Applied Science, Mr. Ezekiel Adefubi, explained that the exercise was to expose students to the practical knowledge of their courses, as it allows lecturers to interact with students physically as well as imparting them academically. “We begin by introducing them to the ethics of the laboratory, explain to them the specimens, how to use the equipment and demonstrate what to do with them. Assignments are given as well,” he stated. Assessing the exercise, one of the lecturers, Mr. Achem Daniel, disclosed to the NOUN News correspondent that the process was going smoothly He said all laboratory equipment are prepared on time before students arrived, even as he stressed that the process has been made easy and seamless due to the availability of the equipment. Other members of the team include Dr. Lawal M.O-ESM, Mr. Onifade Olayinka Omoniyi, Mr. Scott Samson Temitayo, and Dr. Oluseyi. The exercise is scheduled to last for two weeks at the Lagos office.