The Rector of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Dr Abdul Jimoh Mohammed on Tuesday disclosed that a total number of 7,781 students would be graduating from the institution this year.
Dr Jimoh made this known while addressing Journalists during a press conference organised as part of the activities lineup for the 28th convocation ceremony of the institution.
Speaking on what the management has been able to achieve the rector said “The Management within the last year revitalize the Polytechnic Medical Centre by providing the necessary equipment for effective medical services for the Polytechnic community as well as remodelling and renovating an abandoned building and converting it to a state-of-the-art Diagnostic Centre, which has also been fully equipped.
“In realization of its enormous responsibilities to the Polytechnic and its neighbouring communities, the Management embarked on the establishment of a Micro Finance Bank. Necessary steps towards the take-off of the project have been taken by opening an account with Keystone Bank, the parent bank for the Micro Finance Bank, while an application for registration is in the final stage of approval at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He also announced a high level partnership with reputable institutions to train students to be self-employed and job creators.
Said the students of the polytechnic will be more entrepreneurial after the school management pulled off the prestigious signing of MoUs with the Prototype Engineering Development Institute, Ilesha, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi and Mantrac CAT, an engineering concern in Ikeja.
Also announced the moving of the remaining department in IOT to the main campus “We are moving IOT to the main site this year as part of the development program and ease of school administration.
“The management with the support of His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq recently found a lasting solution to the problem of securing HND admission for our ND Mass Communication graduates by securing accreditation for our Higher National Diploma, Mass Communication programme.
“In addition to the accreditation of HND Mass Communication, the Polytechnic made efforts to start HND Animal Production by inviting NBTE and the additional facilities required have been provided, and it will be one of the projects to be commissioned on Thursday during the final ceremony of the convocation and the programme will start in 2022/2023 academic session”
The rector mentioned other achievements to includes: the renovation of the central administration building, task force on anti-corruption and citizenship verification, equipment for nutrition and dietetics and food technology departments, zero tolerance for projects and hostel accommodation.
Speaking on the challenges facing the institution, the rector appealed to the state government and Alumni association to assist the Polytechnic in erecting a perimeter fence said 41 percent of their land has been encroached on by private individuals.
“I regret to inform you that the Polytechnic is currently occupying 6 percent of its land mass, 41 percent of the entire land mass has been encroached in such a way that it enveloped the 6 percent. The remaining 53 percent is not accessible because the Polytechnic will have to pass through the encroached portion before it can access the virgin land”
He also said lack of adequate funds is making it difficult for the management of the polytechnic to carry out comprehensive renovation in some of their structures that are begging for renovation
