Convocation: Kwara Poly graduates 7,781, moves IOT to main site
By Saka Laaro, Ilorin
Forty-nine years after its creation, the Kwara State Polytechnic is moving its Engineering and Applied Sciences Complex, Institute of Technology (IOT) to the school’s permanent site in Araa, a suburb in Ilorin, the state capital, it has been gathered.
This detail was disclosed by the Rector of the polytechnic, Dr Engr Abdul Jimoh Mohammed, as part of his media briefing to mark the 28th Convocation Ceremony of the polytechnic for graduation of 7,781 students from both its HND and OND programmes.
He also announced a high level partnership with reputable institutions to train students to be job creators.
“We are moving the IOT to the main site this year as part of development programme and ease of school administration,” the rector explained.
He also stated that the students of the polytechnic will be more entrepreneural after the school management pulled off the prestigious signing of MoUs with the Prototype Engineering Development Institute, Ilesha; Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi; and Mantrac CAT, an engineering concern in Ikeja.
According to the rector, the briefing was meant to usher in the 28 Convocation Ceremony of the Polytechnic holding between Tuesday, 18th and Thursday, 20th October, 2022 and also to intimate the public of recent development in the school.
Within the 2021/2022 period under review, Dr Mohammed said it faced challenges and made some remarkable achievements.
He noted for instance that it was regrettable that no less than 41 per cent of the school’s land in Araa has been encroached on while it occupies just 6 per cent, adding that the rest 53 per cent is now difficult to access because the encroachers now envelope the school.
“Our response now is to halt such practice by building our new projects on the virgin lands and encroachment prone areas.
“We have also set up committee on the matter to see how to manage the situation,” he added.
The Rector also complained of funding and the need to fence the entire school as means of securing the higher institution.
But the rector said it has made substantial gains as well.
For instance, the school said it’s in the final stages of opening its own microfinance bank, the Kwara Poly Microfinace Bank, with which it hopes to shore up its revenue base.
“Management embarked on the establishment of a Microfinance bank.
“Necessary steps towards the take-off of the project have been taken with opening an account with Keystone Bank, the parent bank for our Bank, while application for registration is in final stage of approval at the Central Bank of Nigeria,” he said .
The Polytechnic is graduating a total of 7,781 students with 62 having a Distinction at the HND level, while 56 passed in same category at the OND level.
