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Statutory Constraints, Discrimination, Bane Of Polytechnics –Don

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Exective Director, Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation, Universal Basic Education (ubec), Mr Salih Yakubu (left), presenting a gold medal award to Executive Secretary of ubec, Dr Dikko Sueiman, during presentation of national certificate of credence and gold medal awards, in Abuja. With him is the Director, Quality Assurance, ubec, Dr Chukwuma Agomoh.

Exective Director, Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation, Universal Basic Education (ubec), Mr Salih Yakubu (left), presenting a gold medal award to Executive Secretary of ubec, Dr Dikko Sueiman, during presentation of national certificate of credence and gold medal awards, in Abuja. With him is the Director, Quality Assurance, ubec, Dr Chukwuma Agomoh.

A Polytechnic Don, Dr
Obasi, O.Oko, has among others identified constraints emenating  from the statute setting up polytechnics and discrimination as key challenges facing polytechnic education in Nigeria.
Dr Obasi, who stated this at a conference on polytechnic education organised by the Rivers State College of Arts and Science (RIVCAS) Chapter of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), last Thursday, hinted that “the key challenge of polytechnics in Nigeria is the result of the statute establishing polytechnic education.
The statute which established the system has been static, while the system itself has been dynamic.
“The statute  established polytechnics as a two-tier institutional Cul de Sac, or close system, with no opportunity beyond Higher National Diploma (HND) in the system, a situation that compels practically-oriented graduate of practical system, who desires further studies to cross over to a theoretical system (university),” he said.
In this same vein, he said, low-level academic staff (technologists), who desires higher education have no opportunity of doing so in the system.
He also stated that discrimination of Polytechnic education as being inferior to university education is another major challenge of polytechnics.
“Since the colonial era, there has been a lingering conception of technical education as inferior to the theoretical one, and it is meant for dullards and school dropouts.
“This low or negative image of technical education in the minds of people rubs off on the polytechnic system, thereby discouraging potential candidates, who, consequently, opt for university education,” he said.
In order to tackle these and other challenges, Dr Obasi, in his lead paper titled “Polytechnic Education System for Science and Technology in an Emerging Economy, Nigeria in perspective,” proffered solutions.
The solutions include a review of the Decree  or Acts establishing the Polytechnics with a view to eliminating the structural and other constraints inherent in the statute, and providing untrammeled career path for graduates of the system.
He also called for the recognition of polytechnic education as not necessarily been inferior to university education, as it offers a definite career direction which, unlike university  education, places emphasis on practice rather than theory.
Obasi further called for the establishment of a separate regulatory body for polytechnics and adequate funding,” accompanied by scrupulous monitoring to ensure judicious use of allocated funds.”
In his address, Chairman of ASUP in RIVCAS, Comrade Victor Osai, extolled the potentials of polytechnic education, saying that “if optimised, it will bring about sustainable development.
“Moreso, as the education subsector is meant to produce job creators and not job seekers,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Acting Provost of RIVCAS, Dr Samuel Kalagbor urged lecturers and participants of the conference to strive towards excellence in their field of endeavours.
“Management will do its best to provide sustainable grants and allowance for research and technological activities, subject to availability of resources”, he said.
The occasion was the 3rd National Conference of Polytechnics, which was held from August 12-14, 2015.

 

Stories by Sogbeba Dokubo

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Covenant University Retains Nigeria’s Best Varsity Ranking

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The Covenant University (CU) has, for the second time, been rated as the best university in Nigeria.
According to Times Higher Education‘s 2024 rating, Covenant Unirersity, as a growing, dynamic vision-driven university, founded on a Christian mission ethos and committed to pioneering excellence at the cutting edge of learning, is among the top 1,000 universities in the world.
The 2024 ranking includes 1,906 universities across 108 countries and regions. The Ranking Website indicates that the grading was compiled based on their new World University Ranking (WUR) 3.0 methodology which includes 18 carefully calibrated performance indicators that measure an institution’s performance across five areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry, and international outlook.
Analysis of the latest ranking on Thursday showed that the university based in Ota, Ogun State, is following on the ranking by the University of Ibadan (UI) as the second-best in the country, with the Federal University of Technology, Akure clinching the third position.
Currently ranked 801st university in the world, CU first gained prominence in 2018 after it emerged as the best university in Nigeria and the sixth-best university overall.
The ranking webpage explained that the site is trusted worldwide by students, teachers, governments, and industry experts, adding that the 2024 league table reveals how the global higher education landscape is shifting.
It stated thus; “This year’s ranking analysed more than 134 million citations across 16.5 million research publications and included survey responses from 68,402 scholars globally. Overall, we collected 411,789 data points from more than 2,673 institutions that submitted data”.
Meanwhile, also captured on the list of universities with the top rating in Nigeria are the University of Ilorin, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Afe Babalola University, and the University of Benin.
Others include the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Lagos State University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Obafemi Awolowo University, and the University of Port Harcourt.

Available statistics showed that of the 15 top universities in the country, nine are located in the South West region, two in the South-South region, two in the South East region, one in the North Central zone, and one in the North West zone. Interestingly, the North-East zone was conspicuously missing from the list.

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2023 UTME Notification Slips: Police, JAMB Raise Alarm Over Fraudulent Sites

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) have raised an alarm over fake sites for the ongoing printing of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Notification Slip which contains vital information such as the date, venue, and time of candidates’ examinations.
In a joint briefing by the NPF and JAMB recently in Abuja, candidates are enjoined to patronise only the approved sites by the JAMB, so as not be defrauded.
The Force Spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who signed a press release on behalf of the two Government agencies said: “The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) hereby bring to the attention of the public the ongoing printing of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Notification Slip which contains vital information such as the date, venue, and time of candidates’ examinations.
“Unfortunately, the emergence of several fake websites created by unscrupulous individuals with the intention of misleading candidates has been observed necessitating this joint press briefing.
“These fake sites are designed to deceive innocent candidates into providing personal details such as registration numbers, email addresses, and phone numbers. These details are then exploited for malicious purposes.
“Both JAMB and the Nigeria Police Force condemn these fraudulent activities and hereby reiterate the readiness to safeguard the interests of candidates and maintain the integrity of the examination process.
“We urge parents, guardians, and all stakeholders to ensure that candidates print their UTME Notification Slips only from the Board’s approved website: www.jamb.gov.ng. Candidates can print their slips from the comfort of their homes or visit any of the over 700 accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide.
“It is important to note that we are familiar with the tactics employed by these fraudsters, especially during the annual assessment and admission exercises. We are actively sensitizing candidates and the public about these deceptive practices.
“Any candidate who visits these fake sites will definitely have unreliable information and thereby miss out in the forthcoming exams.’’
“Candidates are advised to print their UTME Notification Slips before Friday, 19th April, 2024, to access vital information about their examinations. Any website other than www.jamb.gov.ng offering UTME slip printing services is fake and designed to defraud candidates. Candidates should also beware of sites offering ‘live’ questions and answers, as they are false and deceptive, and accessing such materials is prohibited.

“The 2024 UTME is scheduled to commence on Friday, 19th April, and end on Monday, 29th April, 2024. We call on parents, guardians, and the general public to join hands in fostering a culture of integrity and compliance with established guidelines. Together, we can nurture a generation of upright and law-abiding leaders by discouraging fraudulent practices and desperation.

“Furthermore, JAMB is partnering with the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) to address online scam-related issues seamlessly. We assure candidates and the public of our firm dedication to ensuring a fair and transparent examination process.

“In addition, the Inspector General of Police has ordered the NPF-NCCC to go after scammers and fraudsters who engage in cyber related crimes and create phishing sites/portals, and cause them to face the full wrath of the law”.

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RSU Begins First Semester Exams, Today

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The authorities of the Rivers State University (RSU),Nkpolu  Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt says it will  commence the First semester examinations.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Registrar of the university, Mrs. I. B. S. Harry and made available to Dean’s and Heads of Departments, adding that the the examinations were earlier shifted to begin today  from its initial date of last Monday to enable students who were yet to complete their registration and pay the necessary approved fees and give all students equal opportunity to participate in the examinations.
The statement reads “This is to inform all staff and students of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, that the First Semester Examination for the 2023/2024 academic session earlier scheduled to commence on Monday, 8th April, 2024, has been shifted to Monday, 15th April, 2024.”
“The change in date of the Examination is to enable students who are yet to pay stipulated fees/ charges and complete their course registration for the First Semester, to do so.”
All students in this category are advised to utilise the period to make necessary fee payments as well as course registration.”

By: Akujobi Amadi

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