Rector Commends TETFUND, as AKANUPOLY Matriculates 5,302

NEWLY appointed Rector of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Dr. Ogbonnia Ibe-Enwo, has given kudos to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), for generously funding the construction and equipment of laboratory and workshops facilities in the school.

Speaking to journalists during the 34th matriculation ceremony of the polytechnic, Ibe-Enwo explained that to expand the school’s facilities contracts worth N300 million were recently awarded for scientific equipment for the laboratories and workshops.

The Rector added that the scientific equipment are for the mechanical, electrical, ceramics, hotel and hospitality management and agricultural technology departments, adding that those equipment would help to ensure the continuous accreditation of those courses.

He remarked that as the fifth Rector of the Polytechnic the emphasis of his administration would be on both infrastructure and content development, so that the products of the institution could acquire some competences and skills that would make them employers of job instead of job seekers.

On why the number of intakes for the National Diploma programmes is usually higher than those securing admission into the Higher National Diploma programmes, Ibe-Enwo disclosed that the school has more programmes at the ND level than in the HND.

“Again not all those students that did their ND are qualified to do the HND; at the HND level you require a certain gross points average to come back. The idea is that after the ND, if you are not academically strong you can continue the business of applying the skills already acquired.

“Polytechnic education is rigorous because of its hands-on nature, blending theory with practice. Like in certain departments, after the theory in class the students go down to the workshops to transfer such knowledge into the practical aspect. It is quite demanding,” he noted.

Dr. Ibe-Enwo disclosed that the school is matriculating 5,302 students into 28 academic departments cutting across six schools.