The Umaru Aliyu Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto, on Saturday, awarded 18,428 graduands with various categories of certificates at the combined convocation of the 2013/2014 and the 2018/2019 academic sessions.
Prof. Aminu Ibrahim, the Rector of the Polytechnic, broke down the figures at the 2nd Convocation ceremony of the institution, indicating that the graduands comprised 4,607 with Higher National Diplomas, 6, 499 with National Diplomas, 5,628 with Diplomas and 1,842 with Certificates.
“These include 1,842 graduands with distinctions, 4,054 with upper credits, 9,766 with lower credits and 2, 764 graduands with passes.
“The graduands came from the seven colleges of the Polytechnic across the more than 40 academic programmes in 24 departments”, he said.
The colleges included the College of Science and Technology, College of Engineering, College of Environmental Studies, College of Administrative and Business Studies, the College of Arts and Humanities, College of General Studies and the College of Agriculture, he added.
The Rector expressed delight at the increase in the number of graduands of the Polytechnic, saying, ” it tallies with the ever-increasing number of our programmes.
“This, in itself, stands as a testimony that we are actualizing the dreams of our founding fathers. In line with this, arrangements have been completed to introduce new courses, to consolidate on our current gains.
” The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has approved the resource visitation for the commencement of additional courses in the institution”, he said.
Ibrahim identified the new courses to include, National and Higher National Diploma programmes in Accountancy, Banking and Finance, Architecture, and Chemical Engineering Technology.
“We also intend to present another set of programmes in due course such as, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Mechatronics Engineering, Forestry, Horticulture and Fisheries among others.
” These proposed new programmes are all contained in our 5-years Strategic Plan,” he added.
In his address, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal expressed satisfaction with the creditable performances of the graduands.
As the Visitor to the institution, Tambuwal called on the continuing students to follow the resounding footsteps of the graduands.
Tambuwal further acknowledged the giant strides of the institution since its establishment, noting, ” the Polytechnic is now a model in the advancement of technical education in the state.”
“My administration will continue to support the institution as part of the government’s commiment to ensure sound and quality education to its citizens”, Tambuwal pledged. (NAN)
