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About RETRIDAL

 * The Regional Training and Research Institute for Open and Distance Learning (RETRIDAL) is an academic arm of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) that has the specific responsibility and expertise to undertake and foster research in Open and Distance Learning with special attention to the West African sub-region.

RETRIDAL was established with the primary mandate of capacity building in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) within the West African sub-region through training and research. RETRIDAL was established by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL).

RETRIDAL is focused to provide training services and opportunities to other emerging Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Institutions, build a regional network of ODL trainers and researchers, undertake practice-based research within Nigeria and across the West African Sub-region, and network with other similar institutions globally.

Given the fact that quality is a central issue in Open and Distance Learning (ODL), the quality of the planning and implementation of the research and capacity development processes is a matter of priority. In response to the quality imperative therefore, RETRIDAL seeks to provide high quality capacity development and research activities which with the ultimate aim of improving the overall process of distance education and open learning in Africa and beyond.

At the first historic international RETRIDAL Stakeholders’ meeting held in Lagos, Nigeria on 6th and 7th May, 2004 the following three-point agenda were crystallized:

* sharing of information on ODL initiatives and expertise in the West African sub-region; * identifying and prioritising activities to be conducted under the aegis of RETRIDAL, and * framing of Action Plans.

Following that groundbreaking experience, it is worth noting that RETRIDAL has, since 2005, programme funding from the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), been organized and facilitated a number of training workshops within the West African sub-region and other countries in Africa.

VISION
To become a globally acclaimed one-stop solution for open and distance learning training, development and research needs in the Westa African sub-region and beyond.

MISSION
To build a regional newwork of expertise in the West African sub-region that is highly proficient in the delivery of training, development and research.