Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori, yesterday matriculated a total of 3,000 new students as authorities of the institution warned the new intakes against  academic misconduct or acts capable of jeopardising their stay in the polytechnic, stressing that anyone caught in any unwholesome act would be shown the way out.

Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr Obianko Nwolu-Elechi, who gave the stern warning at the 25th matriculation ceremony, said the same warning applied to any lecturer who circumvents the academic rules of the polytechnic.

“If found guilty, after thorough investigation, such a lecturer would be relieved of his or her job,” he said, and advised other staff of the institution saddled with the responsibility of handling students affairs either during admission, registration or otherwise to be careful because any staff found guilty of any form of misconduct would also be dealt with decisively.

The rector congratulated the matriculating students for their successful admission into the polytechnic, and assured them that management of the polytechnic would always do its best in providing conducive atmosphere for their studies and foster a peaceful working environment where everyone is given a sense of belonging.

Polytechnic education, he said, is designed for practical learning and professionalism, noting that it was for that reason that the management ensured that ICT centres, workshops, library and other learning facilities were updated in line with modern requirements.

“the world is now a global village, with the internet becoming a highway of communication. Modern education therefore, requires a good knowledge of computers,” he stated, and emphasised the  need for students to strive to wards becoming computer literate.

Dr Nwolu-Elechi commended the Niger Delta Development Commission for donating 205 sets of computer, and the surveyors council of Nigeria for donating surveying equipment and books to the polytechnic.

He further commended Technical Education Trust Fund (TETfund) for what he described as its timely intervention in the development of the polytechnic. “At the moment, TETfund has provided the funding for construction of a 3-storey classroom block, a 2-storey library complex and another 2-storey classroom block as well as the provision of a 30-seater students bus.

Remarking that the present administration in the polytechnic started not long ago Dr Nwolu-Elechi attributed the modest achievements so far made to the continued support of the state government.

Commenting on the stand of the present management on cultism, the rector urged the matriculating students to get copier of the revised students’ hankbook for proper guide and reiterated that clandestine clubs and unwholesome gangs remain banned in the institution.

Chris Oluoh