Rector Wants Auchi Poly Upgraded To Varsity

The Rector, Auchi Polytechnic, Dr. Phillipa Idoghbo, has urged the Federal Government to upgrade the polytechnic to a degree a warding institution.

Idogho told newsmen in Auchi that the institution had the necessary prerequisites and facilities to become a degree awarding institution.

The rector said that the management of the polytechnic had within the last three years aggressively pursued physical and human capital development to meet the standard required for upgrading.

She explained that since she took over the management of the polytechnic three years ago, she and the management team deliberately pursued policies that would transform the polytechnic.

“The management built over 30 classrooms and more offices as well as providing furniture and equipment in various departments.

“We have reinvigorated the overseas training as no fewer than 11 staff had so far benefited from the scheme. We have also encouraged others who are pursuing higher degree programmes in various higher institutions in the country.

According to her, the polytechnic was in August ranked the best polytechnic in the country by Webometrics and described the ranking as the beginning of world’s recognition of the institution.

Idogho appealed to relevant agencies in the education sector to review upward, the admissions of new students to the polytechnic from its present level of 5,000, pointing out that more than 26,000 candidates sat for this year’s post UTME in the institution.

Meanwhile, the President of Cumberland County College, US. Dr. Thomas Isekenegbe has called for more emphasis on technical education in Nigeria to enhance national development.

Isekenegbe said in a lecture at the 19th convocation of Auchi Polytechnic, Edo, that the economic development of any country depended on the quality of technical education it offered.

The lecture was titled: “Knowledge and Training: the Need for more Experiential Learning in Nigeria Technical Education”.

Isekenegbe advocated the use of experiential learning as the most effective methods of teaching.

In her remark, the Rector of Auchi Polytechnic Dr. Phillipa Idogho, stressed the need for more experiential lerning if education must be efficient and effective.

She said the essence of the Polytechnic was to teach, research and to offer community and national service.