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REGIONAL TRAINING AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING

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 by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) with the primary mandate of capacity building in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) within the West African sub-region through training and research. RETRIDAL is focused on providing training services and opportunities to other emerging Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Institutions, building a regional network of ODL trainers and researchers, undertaking practice-based research within and across the West African Sub-region, and networking 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 with the ultimate aim of improving the overall practice 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.

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

Vision and Mission of RETRIDAL

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 network of expertise in the West African sub-region that is highly proficient in the delivery of training, development and research.

Objectives

In pursuance of the Vision and Mission of the Institute, the objectives of RETRDAL are to: undertake and provide staff induction, training and development in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) at NOUN. conduct training, development activities and train-the-trainer in ODL, for staff of other institutions of higher learning and ODL-related organizations in Nigeria. identify and provide training and development needs of different professional groups within the West African sub-region. engage in and support systemic practice-based research activities in ODL within Nigeria and across the West African sub-region, networking with other similar institutions globally. develop RETRIDAL as a Centre of Excellence and thus affirm and promote NOUN’s position as a leading provider of quality education, training and research in Open and Distance Education(ODE) internationally

Activities

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