Conversion of Yabatech to varsity: We’re still waiting for govt report – Ladipo, Rector
BY EMMANUEL EDUKUGHO
THERE is no end in sight to the long wait for the conversion of Yaba
College of Technology (YABATECH) to a university as proposed by the
Federal Government.
Between 2005/2006, the Federal Ministry of Education came out with
Tertiary Education Reforms, “aimed at expanding access, improving
quality and optimizing relevance.”
Among the critical issues in Tertiary Education identified were high
demand for universities but limited access as Polytechnics and Colleges
of Education are last choices; non compliance with carrying capacities;
Insufficient Enforcement of Quality Assurance Reports; programmes that
are not relevant to market place realities; Inadequate funding; unstable
academic calender due to shut downs or closures.
A major issue is the inability of the present arrangement to absorb
qualified candidates as many people had preference for university
degrees. So came the consolidation initiative to expand access to
provide additional 500,000 spaces, at that time.
The policies enunciated were to:
(1) Establish City University of Technology in Yaba and Kaduna.
(2) Convert Federal Polytechnics and Colleges of Education to Campuses of Protimate and Contiguous universities to award B.Tech.
(3) All non degree programmes will remain.
To actualise and successfully implement these policies, the Federal
Ministry of Education acknowledged in its remarks that the following
should be done:
•Repeal old and enact new Bill (to be sent to the National Assembly comprising House of Representatives and Senate.).
•Get Funding
•Improve facilities, faculty and infrastructures
•Others things (etc).
In her 2010/2011 Matriculation Address in January 26, 2011, the
Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Margaret K. Ladipo, with
pessimism, had touched on the conversion of the college to university,
assuring that this is being considered by government.
“A Ministerial Implementation Committee for the transformation was
constituted by the Federal Government. The committee report has been
submitted to the Honorable Minister. The report is under consideration,”
she said.
It was not a surprise that when Ladipo addressed a pre-Convocation
press conference on Wednesday 9th November, 2011 in the College Council
Chamber in respect of the 27th Convocation ceremonies.
During a question-and-answer session,said: “A committee was set up for the smooth conversion of the college to a university.
“There is another committee which has looked at this so we are now waiting for the government report on it.”
The Rector thanked God for what is going on at the college,
apparently in reference to the progress and development achieved so far
during her tenure. There are several projects being carried out and the
college is “congested with projects.
and we will continue to move forward,”she declared.
On post-UTME which was termed as a “boiling”matter currently in the tertiary system, Ladipo said she believed in standard.
“We have submitted our position paper on post-UTME and hope to hear
from JAMB, NBTE, NUC… ….. We cannot compromise standard. For our
students to compete globally, we can’t compromise, we will wait for the
report.”
In response to questions on why graduates of the college still can
not get placements despite its emphasis on entrepreneurship education
and whether there is any linkage with industry for the benefit of the
students, she said the students have good relationship with industrial
outfits.
“Our students go out and have relationship with so many industries.
We have had contacts and linkages with industry. There had been
linkages. We are producing self-reliant graduates, job creators, not job
seekers.”
On restructuring the curriculum to meet with the needs of industry,
she reassured that the college is running a curriculum geared to the
needs of industry.
“We are working on the needs of the industry. Companies such as LG,
Samsung are inviting our students for practicals and making us proud.”
As regards the choice of Governor Muazu Aliu Babangida of Niger State
to deliver the convocation lecture titled – Entrepreneurial Skills and
Competency Based Education: An Elixir For Employeability And
Self-Reliance, Ladipo explained that he was chosen because of his
passion for entrepreneurship education. “He is already partnering with
Yaba College of Technology on Entrepreneurship Education.”.
CULLED FROM http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/11/conversion-of-yabatech-to-varsity-we%E2%80%99re-still-waiting-for-govt-report-ladipo-rector/
