Accolades as Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic holds 2nd convocation

The Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic Sokoto will be holding its 2014-2019 combined convocation today with 18,428 graduates receiving certificates after completing their respective programmes successfully. This is the second convocation to be held by the school since its establishment in 2002. $1.2m NNPC ‘bribe’ used to finance Jonathan, Buhari elections – Report Bandits impose tax […]

The Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic Sokoto will be holding its 2014-2019 combined convocation today with 18,428 graduates receiving certificates after completing their respective programmes successfully.

This is the second convocation to be held by the school since its establishment in 2002.

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The polytechnic, which started with 5 colleges, now has 7 colleges and operates in two campuses with 24 departments and more than 40 academic programmes.

The colleges are College of Science and Technology, College of Engineering, College of Environmental Studies and College of Administrative and Business Studies. Others include the College of Arts and Humanities, College of General Studies and College of Agriculture.

The objectives of the polytechnic include among others: to provide courses of study, training and research in Engineering, Sciences, Technology, Management Studies and other branches of learning for the technological and economic advancement of the state and for entry requirements into universities and other higher institutions of learning.

*To offer courses of study at Certificate, National and Higher National Diplomas, sub-degree and other levels in Arts, Languages, Sciences, Technology and other branches of learning with the ultimate purpose of service to the community.

*To provide through teaching, research and other means, the advancement of knowledge and its practical application to the needs of the community.

In line with these objectives, the polytechnic runs Higher National Diploma, National Diploma, and Certificate Programmes across the aforementioned colleges.

Speaking to Daily Trust, the Rector of the polytechnic, Professor Aminu Alhaji Ibrahim, said they have been intensifying efforts towards the attainment of academic excellence.

“To begin with, the polytechnic commenced its National Programmes with only three National Diploma Programmes in 2003 but today, I am pleased to inform you that we have 16 National Diploma and 14 Higher National Diploma Programmes across the colleges accredited by the esteemed National Board for Technical Education (NBTE),” he said.

According to him, arrangements have been concluded and NBTE has approved the resource visitation for the commencement of the following National and Higher National Diploma Programmes, ND Accountancy, ND Banking and Finance, ND Architecture, ND Quantity Survey, ND Chemical Engineering Technology and ND Town and Regional Planning,

Other are HND Animal Health Technology, HND Animal Production Technology, HND Pasture and Range Management Technology, HND Crop Production Technology, HND Local Government Studies, HND Office Technology and Management, HND Social Development (Community Development and Adult Education Option), HND Social Development (Social Welfare Option) and HND Marketing.

“We also intend to present another set of programmes in due course such as ND Computer Engineering, ND Information Technology, ND Mechatronics Engineering, ND Forestry, ND Horticulture and ND Fisheries, among others.

“All these are contained in our 5-years Strategic Plan,” he assured.

To further create an enabling environment for the promotion and sustenance of academic excellence, the rector noted that the polytechnic management is embarking on capacity building through intensive staff training programmes.

“In this regard, we very much acknowledge, appreciate and applaud the efforts of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) on their laudable interventions, policies and programmes towards staff training as well as the provision of instructional and infrastructural facilities to tertiary institutions,” he said.

He added that; “through the intervention of conference attendance of the TETFUND, a total of 204 staff of the polytechnic attended various international conferences and workshops across different countries of the world. Similarly, through the Funds Academic Staff Training and Development (ASTD), 211 academic staff have enjoyed sponsorship to pursue postgraduate degrees both at home and abroad, out of which 89 have already obtained their Master’s degrees and PhDs.

“In addition, academic and administrative staffs are regularly sponsored for various local training i.e. ND, HNDs/BScs. PGDs and Masters programmes, including seminars & workshops,” he remarked.

Also, in its bid to excel in teaching and research, the polytechnic pays serious attention to the provision of equipment and instructional facilities for its classrooms, lecture halls, lecture theatres, laboratories and workshops.

The rector also told Daily Trust Saturday that “Through the interventions of the state government and the TETFUND, different equipment and instructional facilities were provided. These include machines and equipment for Engineering, Sciences, Information and Communication Technology, Mass Communication, Agricultural Science, Office Technology and Management, Animal Health and Production and Business Administration and Management.

“Others are magnetic boards for our classrooms, students’ furniture as well as access to the internet in both campuses of the polytechnic.

“Similarly, the polytechnic library continues to receive a boost with regards to procurement of books, the establishment of e-library and provision of 270 KVA standby generator.

“Above all, our staff are committed, passionate, patriotic and determined. This is the secret behind the successes recorded in the various sections of the polytechnic,” he said.

The rector further stated that the Sokoto State government through its educational development policies has facilitated the following welfare packages for their staff and students

Regular promotion of deserving staff across all cadres.

Commencement of payment of CONPCASS and CONTEDISS Salary structures to academic/non-academic staff of the institution.

Provision of water and electricity to the polytechnic community free of charge.

Provision of enabling laws

Our staff residing in government quarters are not charged a single kobo.

To further motivate our staff, staff secondary and primary schools are being given all the necessary support to operate optimally.

The polytechnic management also sees to the welfare of the students through the provision of sporting facilities, bus service, furnishing of students’ common rooms, renovation of students’ hostels, construction of recreation sites in the two campuses and supporting Students’ Union activities.

He added that the polytechnic is widely recognized both within and outside the country as a worthy citadel of learning and indeed a centre of academic excellence.

“This is justified by the distinguishing conduct and performance of our staff and students as well as the linkages we have with institutions and organizations within and outside Nigeria.”

The rector, who said efforts of the institution in excelling in teaching and research also captured the attention of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), prompting the donation of over 600 laptop computers to the polytechnic from 2010 to 2018. Most of the computers were distributed to the academic staff and departments to enhance their researches and other academic activities.

Similarly, the polytechnic, in collaboration with the Nigerian Council of Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, is currently running a Diploma and Certificate in freight forwarding.

The polytechnic, also in collaboration with the University of Technology Zhengzhou, China, conducted a Distance Training programme on Grain Security for Officials in Nigeria. Recently, the institution received 20 ultra-modern solar lighting equipment to be placed in strategic places within the polytechnic campuses.

He reiterated their commitment and determination to maintain the tradition of the polytechnic: the tradition of producing quality graduands who can compete favourably with their counterparts across the world.

“This tradition is in line with the vision of the polytechnic, which is to be a polytechnic of high academic excellence for the ultimate purpose of providing relevant and skilled manpower needed for the economic and technological growth and development of the nation through teaching, research, linkages, and community service. 

“By the grace of Allah (SWT), we have energetically and devotedly sustained this tradition over the years and as you can see, today’s occasion offers an opportunity to present our scorecard and indeed the state of this institution.”

He, therefore, admonished the graduating students to promote the good name and image of this institution and state, while charging them to be good ambassadors of the polytechnic wherever they find themselves.

“I also urge you to register and play an active role in the Alumni Association of the polytechnic,” he concluded.