RIVCAS Celebrates First NYSC Graduands

The Rivers State College of Arts and Science (RIVCAS), Port Harcourt, yesterday recorded a significant milestone as a citadel of knowledge following the formal presentation of its first batch of HND graduands now serving their National Youths Service (NYSC).

Addressing the graduands who are all from the Accountancy Department, the chairman of the 6th governing council of the institution, Dr Soba Wilcox said; “the achievement has put the college on a giant stride to attain the required standard to exist as a first class Polytechnic and function as one of the fast growing institutions of higher learning in Nigeria.”

She said, the school which started as a school of basic studies in 1977 to after remedial programmes was later upgraded to a college of Arts and Science by edict in January 1991 and today it has assumed the status of a full fledged HND awarding institution, following it recognition and accreditation of its programmes by the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE.”

According to Dr Wilcox the institution has not lost touch with its mandate of preparing and grooming students for basic university entry requirement and other specialised programmes, inspite of its new status as a Polytechnic.

She however, pointed out that there was need for improvement in terms of funding, facilities and educational aids to cater for the growing needs of middle level manpower in education and industries.

She also appealed to the Rivers State Government to change the name of the institution to reflect its new achievement and status as a polytechnic.

Briefing newsmen at the event, the Provost of the College, Dr Hillary Wodu said the achievement was an indication that the institution was making steady progress in its contributions to technology based development in Rivers State and Nigeria.

Dr Wodu who commended the Rivers State Government for its support for the institution appealed to the Rivers State Governor for special consideration for the allocation of the 2012 TETFund Intervention Project to the college.

In his remark, the chairman of the event, Mr. Allwel Onyeso, commended the 6th governing council of the college for its giant stride.

Taneh Beemene