How NOUN’s flexibility aided my pageantry audition - Miss Tourism Nigeria

A former student of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and winner of the just concluded Miss Tourism Nigeria, Joy Ebere Ekekwe, has lauded the flexible nature of the university and how it “prepares one to be independent."

Ekekwe, now primed to represent Nigeria for this year’s Miss World Tourism in Sri Lanka, stated this on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 while fielding questions from NOUN News correspondents at  the headquarters of the university in Jabi, Abuja.

While hailing NOUN's mode of delivery, she said "NOUN 's style of education is research-based. When I was studying for exams, I had to study more and learn things on my own. NOUN prepares you to be independent.

"In my previous school, we expected lecturers to do everything for you but with NOUN, they give you that opportunity to dig-in and find out things for yourself and it builds you up; helps you to read more, discover more things and you become a better person. So with research, NOUN is one of the best."

The 11th Miss Tourism Nigeria also scratched another important aspect of the university, saying that “I like the flexibility of NOUN and I also love the fact that they have materials that will help you study. All the lecturers and facilitators are accessible and nice.

"I experienced NOUN 's flexibility first hand when I was going through the process and procedures for this pageant. In fact, when I was going for auditions, we were writing exams but because NOUN has a flexible system, I could still go to school and pursue my dreams.”

Ekekwe, who obtained her Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Business Administration in 2023 from NOUN, added that "It is not like the conventional universities where people are treated like little children. NOUN treats you like an adult and gives you all the assistance you need to excel in your studies."

The Abia state-born business consultant also has an advice to the prospective students, urging them to avoid procrastination and enroll in NOUN, as the university "will not hold you back from doing what you want to do. You can use one stone to kill two birds. You can be in school while you still run your business and pursue your dreams and career."

Ekekwe, who promised to come back to NOUN for her M.sc in Business Administration, had in 2017 obtained her Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication from Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State.