ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES SET TO RESUME AT THE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT, UGEP All is now set for the resumption of academic activities at the Institute of Technology and Management, ITM in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government in Cross River State. The school had already conducted its first admission tests which held in Calabar and Lagos late last year. The initial date announced for resumption of classes was postponed due to the inability of the contractor to complete work on schedule and the insistence of the partner, Highbury College UK, that the minimum required instructional materials must be on the ground before commencement of academic activities. Prof. Ukata said: “I can confirm that work has been completed on the first phase. The installations that were being done the last time the governor came for inspection was on the phase two. We are now set to resume academic activities on September 15, 2014. It is not in doubt, the role that education plays as a catalyst for economic transformation and socio –political advancement; therefore, the need for any government to beam its’ focus on repositioning the sector cannot be over emphasized. From the basic formative level, which is the primary, through to the secondary stage up to the tertiary level, a comprehensive transformation process must be adopted through the institution of a multi- pronged approach to rejuvenate the sector. In Cross River State, The critical role that the Imoke’s administration played in the education sector since its inception as the governor of Cross River State in 2007 has in no small measure, edged the sector on a progressive path. One of the very vital steps the administration has taken is the establishment of the Institute of Technology and Management, ITM in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government to bridge the gap between middle class manpower developments and satiates the long time request of the people from Central Cross River to have a tertiary institution where their children can attend. On 27th of July 2013, while performing the ground breaking for the construction of the new Institute of Technology and Management the governor assured the people of Cross River State that a middle class institution has berthed. According to him, his government went to the United Kingdom to solicit the assistance of those who have the experience to come down and start the institution. “It is designed to meet the demands and needs of the market as well as generate unprecedented employment skills in Cross River,” he said. The Governor promised to undertake regular supervision of ongoing construction work to ensure it is completed and commissioned in time. The Chairman of the Executive Committee on the Establishment of the Institute, Professor Evara Esu on his part explained that the institute is affiliated to Highbury College, London. He said the Institute will offer courses based on industry needs that will guarantee that its graduates will get jobs after graduation. According to the one time Vice Chancellor of University of Calabar, Highbury College will manage and maintain the institute because of its reputation as the highest classified college in United Kingdom. What is Special About ITM? Partners: Highbury College, UK The Cross River State Government had entered into a partnership with Highbury College, Portsmouth, United Kingdom to design a demand-driven curriculum for a world class institution in the state. The curriculum would ensure that graduates of the school are employable. Speaking at the signing of the Agreement in Calabar, Cross River State, Governor Liyel Imoke disclosed that the state was partnering the college because it is the best vocational institution in the United Kingdom. Governor Imoke described as unacceptable, a situation where Nigerian universities churn out graduates, who are unemployable. He noted that overtime, the quality of education in the country has nosedived; making it compelling for the kind of partnership the state was entering into with Highbury College if the trend is to be arrested. Governor Imoke remarked that government will not compromise on merit concerning the appointment of Principal Officers of the institution as doing so will be unhelpful to the cause of revamping the education sector. According to him, “the reforms in the education sector is yielding result and there is need for us to work harder to better the result going forward”, adding that, “we want to sustain the partnership and build on it, because the focus is to ensure Cross River State graduates are employable to make a difference in the economy”. The Principal/Chief Executive Highbury College, Portsmouth UK, Mrs. Stella Mbubaegbu, who commended Imoke for his commitment to the development of the education sector, described the partnership as a new dawn that will make the difference in the sector. Mbubaegbu said the world is growing and is at the age of entrepreneurship and that the curriculum of ITM will be designed to intertwine technical and vocation education training to boost entrepreneurship development. Policy Thrust of Institute of Technology & Management: According to the policy document of the Institute, it relates to applications to study programs delivered by the school. It is intended to enable the Institute articulate its admissions practices in a concise and comprehensive manner and for those practices to be transparent. The policy seeks to make clear the Institute’s position in relation to a range of areas. These areas include: fair admissions, equality of opportunity and widening participation, the roles of various Institute departments and staff and the Institute’s commitment to equality and diversity in dealing with applications. The Institute values and seeks diversity in the student community. It endeavors to ensure that all applicants and students are given the opportunity to achieve their potential in relevant subjects at appropriate levels. In accordance with this aim, the Institute is committed to recognizing the academic and other relevant achievement of each applicant and student. The Institute welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds and strives to be effective in recognizing the potential within applicants to succeed in their chosen program of study. This policy is applied in conjunction with the following other policy documents: • Equality Policy • Race Equality Policy • Disability Statement • The Policy for the Admission of Applicants with a Criminal Record • Health & Safety • Safeguarding Admission to the Institute is based on evidence of academic, professional and personal experience that meet the Institute’s entry requirements for specific programs. Additionally, evidence of the potential to benefit from the intended program of study plays an important part of the decision making process. The policy document demonstrates a strategic approach towards Institute admissions, which is supported by practice within the Academic Departments, Student Support Services, Learning Support, Information and Advice and Guidance Services. The school has already conducted its first admission tests which held in Calabar and Lagos. The initial date announced for resumption of classes was postponed due to the inability of the contractor to complete work on schedule and the insistence of the partner, Highbury College UK, that the minimum required instructional materials must be on the ground before commencement of academic activities. But in what government sources say is the final preparation for resumption of academic activities, the Governor recently inspected facilities at the Institute’s main campus in Ugep. He was conducted round by the Rector of the Institute, Dr. William Pedley and Mr. Fadeyi Olusola, the Facility Manager. It was expected that the recent inspection tour will be the last preceding the resumption of academic activities in the school. True to that, it was the last and now lectures are expected to resume on September 15, 2014. Working with Highbury College, a leading UK based skills provider, the institute will provide a wide range of vocational skills and training facilities, including construction and engineering workshops, as well as general teaching and learning accommodation. The ambition is to evolve a world-class entrepreneurial institution which will be the first of its kind in Nigeria and leave a lingering legacy in educational development in Cross River State.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 08:33:23 +0000
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