By Ovat Abeng
The acting Rector of Anambra State Polytechnic (ANSPOLY), Mgbakwu, in Awka North Local Government Area of the State, Dr Njideka Rita Chiekezie, has given lack of Higher National Diploma (HND) status, lack of Medical complex, lack of Legal unit and lack of self-managemrnt as factors behind low patronage of students in the Institution.
Dr. Chiekezie disclosed this to Journalists as part of her opening address at the ongoing 3rd edition of the Polytechnic’s International Multi-Disciplinary Conference, held at the School auditorium, on Wednesday.
She said the Institution that was upgraded in 2017 from School of Agriculture by then, the administration of governor Willie Obiano is currently running only National Diploma (ND) with interim accreditation of twelve 2-year (ND) courses in four schools or faculties.
According to her, we have not started HND programme and which is why we are painfully witnessing low student intake in our State-owned Polytechnic. No student want to come and do he/her ND here and then seek HND elsewhere. We are appealing to the State Government, ably lead by Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo to enable us manned HND status.
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“The School management is also disturbed because many of it Staff are product from the State Ministries/Departments/Agencies (MDAs) which the Polytechnic National Regulatory bodies are against. We have no payroll status of our owned. We don’t have bursary unit here. Salaries are being paid from our various state MDAs. The Polytechnic should be able to own it staff and pay them at when due.
Our vision is to be a leading Polytechnic of great reputation, with an outstanding and enviable academic standard, equipping students to be technologically skilled, morally-sound and entrepreneurial-minded.
“ANSPOLY aims under my watch is to achieve excellence through promoting the acquisition of technological and academic competencies in a serene academic environment. It is important to mention that ANSPOLY is enlisted among the NBTE-approved Polytechnics in Nigeria offering National Diploma (ND) following the interim accreditation of twelve 2-year National diploma (ND) courses in four schools or faculties. The preparations for NBTE inspection visit and accreditation for the Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes are on. This is our major challenge presently.
“I am happy as it stands now that our working, governor, Prof Soludo, has constitute a special committee to look into the challenges and I am optimistic that with the governor intervention, the disturbing challenges will be fully addressed in no distance time,” the Rector stressed
On the conference proper, the acting Rector, explained that the primary purpose of the conference with the Theme; “Innovation for Sustainable Development in a Digital Era.” is to provide a platform for scholars, researchers, and experts to share their research findings, ideas, and experiences with a community of peers and other technological matters of the 21st century.
On her brief remark, the Local Organizing Committee Chairman of the event, Dr Uzondu Chikodiri Scholastica, said the conference scheduled to end on Thursday December 12th, 2024 is expected to provide a forum for sharing innovative concepts, encouraging teamwork, and tackling the urgent problems facing science, technology and Innovation.
It was gathered that the conference also featured technical and interactive sessions, paper presentations by Prof Chidi Odinkalu, the Vice Chancellor of West Midlands Open University Lagos, Prof Longe Olumide, the acting Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Igbariam, Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha, SA to governor Soludo on Innovation, Ms Chinwe Okoli, as well as award presentation to 16 deserving personalities including the State Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, the Chief Protocol Officer to governor Soludo, Hon Chinedu Nwoye, the State Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr Julius Chukwuemeka Odimegwu, the state Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, ACTDA boss, Hon Ossy Onuko, Oba Yoruba of Awka, Alahaji Abdulrazak Olahan, Dr. Victor Agummadu, Mr Edwin Anaso, Chief Anthony Maduka, Dr Nwabufo Nwankwo, the State APGA women leader, Hon Ester Chinyere Onyekesi, among others.
