The Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Saliu Adelabu, has enjoined The Polytechnic, Ibadan, to embrace change and manage it to reposition the institution.
Adelabu gave the charge at the maiden colloquium organised by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), The Polytechnic, Ibadan branch, on Thursday.
He stressed the need to be at par with technological development in other countries through innovation driven by change and the ability to manage the change.
The commissioner harped on leveraging partnerships, emphasising the importance of learning from other cultures and effective management of resources.
Adelabu tasked ASUP with deconstruction and reconstruction, using the theory of change to address whatever challenges the institution may be facing.
“The world is moving towards artificial intelligence; we must start looking in that direction also,” he said.
In his keynote lecture, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Emeritus Prof. Olufemi Bamiro, underscored the need for strategic planning and implementation.
Bamiro’s lecture was titled “Strategic Transformation Towards Sustaining The Polytechnic Ibadan’s Position of Excellence.”
The former Vice Chancellor called for collaboration among the “Triple Helix” to solve the problems in the Nigerian education system.
He said the government needed to challenge the tertiary institutions towards solving developmental problems as done in other countries.
“The Triple Helix are the government, academia and industry. The government should sponsor tertiary institutions in collaboration with the industry.
“Has our government challenged us in any way by providing funding and other support to make a difference?” Bamiro asked.
According to him, improving the quality of higher education institutions in Nigeria required access to funding, governance of the system, relevance and quality.
Earlier in his address, the Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Prof. Kareem Adebiyi, appreciated ASUP for being partners in progress.
He stated that the colloquium would broaden knowledge about the polytechnic system and trends in running it.
Also in his goodwill message, the National President, ASUP Mr Shammah Kpanja, represented by the Zonal Coordinator, Mr Nurudeen Masopa, congratulated The Polytechnic Ibadan ASUP.
He said the colloquium was apt considering the state of polytechnic education in Nigeria and the need to reposition it.
In his address, the Chairman, ASUP, Polytechnic Ibadan, Dr Kola Lawal, commended members of the union and other workers of the institution.
“The recognition of The Polytechnic Ibadan by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) as the Fourth Best Polytechnic and the Best State Polytechnic in Nigeria is a testament to the hard work and commitment of every member of ASUP.
“And the entire academic community of our institution,” Lawal said.
According to him, the colloquium was a platform provided to recognise the interconnectedness of issues in the Nigerian Polytechnic System and their impact.
“The theme resonates with the urgent need for comprehensive reforms, strategic planning, and collaborative efforts to address the challenges while leveraging the inherent potential of the polytechnic education system,” the ASUP Chair said.
