Tongnaan Bawa, Jos
The Alumni of the Plateau State Polytechnic Barkin ladi has pledged to support the institution in living up to its mandate as a technical institution of repute in the country.
The National President, Plateau State Polytechnic Alumni Association, Dr. Nanzing Nden, made the pledge at the permanent site of the institution at Heipang Barkin Ladi, when the executives of the association paid a courtesy call on the Rector and management staff of the institution.
While expressing the need for the management of the polytechnic to synergize with the alumni, Dr. Nden narrated that the outgoing management of the polytechnic resisted synergy with the alumni, therefore missing out on a 75 million naira infrastructure contract the alumni sought for the institution.
Dr. Nden said that the alumni are ready to canvass for support across the globe to develop their former institution as part of their giving back to society.
The alumni called on the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to make the appointment of the Acting Rector permanent, so as to enable him fully.
Reacting to the suggestions of the alumni, the Acting Rector Dr. Chirman Clement appreciated the gesture and said it is a welcome development.
He said his administration will not undermine the role of alumni in developing the institutions to a higher height so pledge to work in close synergy.
Speaking on the achievements made within the four months of his being on board as the Acting Rector, Dr. Clement Chirman informed them that the Polytechnic was on the verge of being shut down due to obsolete academic programmes the polytechnic was offering.
He added that his administration has reversed the challenge, according to him, notice to that effect was communicated to management last week.
On the upgrading of Nigerian polytechnics to degree-awarding institutions, Dr. Chirman said it was a welcome development.
The Rector informed the alumni that his administration shall break the policy which had hindered employment of non-indigenes as staff of the institution.
The Chirman confided in the alumni that Governor Caleb Mutfang has agreed that qualified adhoc staff recently sacked should be interviewed and engaged as permanent staff when the employment ban is lifted because some of the affected persons had worked as adhoc staff for close to two decades.
On challenges confronting the institution, the Acting Rector informed his guests that the host community of the polytechnic is encroaching on its land, mining and farming, thereby threatening the school fence and other structures.
He said the threat by the said community has delayed a 2 billion naira infrastructural development project secured by his administration from TETFund to build new and befitting structures in the institution.
The Rector revealed that most buildings of the polytechnic, including the administrative block which houses the Rector’s office are obsolete and need urgent renovation to avoid collapse.
God bless everyone supporting the growth of the nation