By Abdulfatah Babatunde
The Governing Council of Yaba College of Technology rose from a three-day retreat in Lagos, calling on the Federal Government to establish a Polytechnic Commission to enable polytechnics to run dua-mode degrees.
TheNewsZenith reports that this is the high point of recommendation in a communique issued at the end of the retreat.
The theme of the Retreat is: “Consolidating The Past and Shaping The Future”.
“The retreat called on the government to urgently establish a Polytechnic Commission that, among other mandates, will retain the name Yaba College of Technology.
“This commission should empower the institution to run dual-mode degrees, emphasising both theoretical knowledge and practical entrepreneurial skills.
“YabaTech has more than adequate teaching staff with research degrees and academic contributions.
“With these, it can successfully run dua-mode degrees,” the Council recommended.
The retreat highlighted the institution’s capabilities that support this new mandate to operate as a College with degrees awarding mandate.
Participants believed that this is the current trend with colleges and Institutes in the Western world running degree programmes.
“Educational institutions in developed countries operate as Colleges and Schools with a mandate to run degree programmes,” the Council said.
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Meanwhile, the Governing Council implored the Federal Government “to stop inhibiting the admission selection process”.
“This is done through policies that reduce the number of students admitted in the part-time mode in the College.
“Part-time admission not only aids Internally Generated Revenue for institutions but also ensures access to tertiary education.”
Another significant issue raised at the retreat was the National Assembly’s efforts to remove the dichotomy between HND and Bachelor’s degree holders.
Retreat participants frown at a recent statement from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) insisting that HND Corp Members must present evidence of one-year industrial training.
“Similar request was not demanded from Bachelor’s degree holders,” the retreat noted.
TheNewsZenith reports that experienced facilitators from government and public service attended the retreat, including Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation.
Fagbemi delivered a paper titled “Best Practices in Governance of the Polytechnic System,”
Prof. Rahamon Bello, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, and currently Pro-Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education, is another scholarly facilitator. He spoke on “Team Building as the Basis for Success”.
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