There is hope for students of one of the premium polytechnics in Nigeria, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo state, following a Bill to convert it to a full fledge degree awarding University.
The Bill which has passed its third reading by both houses of the National Assembly and House of Representatives is awaiting assent by President Muhammadu. This would automatically convert the Polytechnic which is in the categories of first-class polytechnics in the country to the University of Technology.
Speaking with newsmen in Asaba, Saturday, National President, Auchi Polytechnic Alumina Association, Mr. Victor Okhaimo, disclosed that the institution which is to mark its 36 years of existence now have three campuses with infrastructures that better places it to be converted to a University status.
He also noted that the association under his leadership has put remarkable input into the federal institution to better position it for its new rank, saying that the association is also reaching out to old boys with the financial wherewithal to help contribute their quota to the institution when converted to enable it provide technical services.
According to Okhaimo, the school has witnessed a lot of manpower upgrade up till Doctorate degrees by staff, stressing that a school with a University status would need a Vice Chancellor that would be able access and reach out to wide opportunities compare to been just a Polytechnic.
He said his leadership has also been able to collaborate with the ailing Forum of Nigeria Polytechnic Alumina Association (FONPA), which has been revived, “we are playing a lot of roles to see that the HND/Bsc dichotomy is wiped out” just as he revealed that FONPA has been registered, adding that one of the cardinal points his administration is working on is to ensure that old boys with financial capacities comes in and build hostels that would also be named after them.
