YABATECH RECTOR APPLAUDS FG FOR INTRODUCTION OF TECHNICAL UNIVERSITIES

The Rector, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr Margaret Ladipo has lauded the Federal Government on the introduction of technical university into the nation's tertiary education system.

Speaking during the briefing on the new status of the institution to the staff of the college at different fora, the rector said the transformation of YABATECH into a technical university was to enable the incorporation of technical components into the curricular and programmes of the universities with a view to solving technological problems, enhancing entrepreneurial skill for self reliance as a way out of unemployment, improving technological development of the country and meeting the technical needs of the various sectors of the nation.

Dr. Ladipo noted that the technical university was the first of its kind, with the college and the government being part of this historic development in Nigeria and in furtherance to the Ministry of Education's drive to improve access to tertiary education as stated in the recently developed one year strategic plan for the development of education sector by the current Minister of Education, Professor Ruqqayat Rufa'i

She commended the landmark achievement of the minister of education, minister of state and the Permanent Secretary for ensuring that history was made and education in the country got a turning point in their tenure. History, she said would not forget the trio in Nigeria and the education sector.

Giving an update on the transformation of the college to the staff, she said on August 12, 2010 the minister informed the rectors of YABATECH and Kaduna Polytechnic that a committee had been set up by the ministry and that the committee's proposal was to be taken to Federal Executive Council for consideration.

The mandate of the committee, she said was to draw up implementation modalities for the transformation of the two institutions that were taken off as technical universities but to be called City Universities of Technology.

Dr Ladipo reminded the staff of the existing internal committee that had been working on the transformation and that had submitted a blue print of the college input as to how the college should transform, to intensify more effort and come up with pragmatic modalities that would assist the ministerial committee expected in the college.

Adding that the college in its submitted report to the government has recommended 5 - 7 years transition period during which all the staff are expected to have developed themselves for the new challenges and structure.

The implementation committee, according to her, would visit the college on Monday, November 22, 2010 and would hold meeting with the staff, visits the departments and schools including the library.

The rector solicited for the cooperation of the entire staff during the visit of the committee and encouraged them to provide adequate information as may be required by the members.

The committee is expected to conclude is assignment within two to four weeks of its inauguration as government is eager for the take off of the college as a City University of Technology.