As the tenure of the Rector and other principal officers of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, winds down, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has tasked Governor Seyi Makinde and the institution’s governing council with adherence to the stipulations of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) 2023 on the appointment of the Rector and members of the management of state and private polytechnics.
The Chairman, ASUP, Polytechnic Ibadan, Dr. Kola Lawal, made this call while addressing journalists within the premises of the institution.
Quoting provisions of the NBTE, the ASUP demanded that only chief lecturers from the Polytechnic, Ibadan, be appointed as the next rector of the institution.
According to Lawal, the tenure of the management team led by its rector, Professor Kazeem Adeniyi, comes to an end on March 24.
Noting that the governing council of the institution domesticated the NBTE guidelines at its meeting on May 25th and 26th, 2023, Lawal held that the institution boasted several qualified chief lecturers with the requisite experience and deep understanding of the polytechnic sector to take over the institution.
The ASUP argued that the institution will thrive better and meet the goals and aspirations of its founding fathers if one of its chief lecturers is given the chance to manage the institution.
“If chief lecturers cannot be allowed to be appointed as vice-chancellors in the universities, it is only fair not to allow professors or associate professors to be appointed to lead polytechnic management,” Lawal argued.
Lawal quoted sections of the guidelines as stating that: “The management of the institution is headed by a Rector who, according to the guidelines, must possess the following qualities: doctorate degree from a recognised institution in any of the disciplines offered in the Polytechnics sector, or any requirements stipulated in the Scheme of Service for the appointment of a Chief Lecturer;
“Minimum of Second Class lower division degree of Higher National Diploma (HND) with Lower Credit in a discipline offered in the Polytechnic Sector from a recognised institution minimum of seventeen (17) years of teaching experience in tertiary institutions, at least ten (10) years of which must have been gained in a Polytechnic or similar TVET institution;
“Chief Lecturer from the Polytechnic sector with not less than five (5) years experience on the rank;
“Not more than fifty-nine (59) years of age, as at the date the post will become vacant, demonstrate evidence of strong academic and administrative leadership: initiative and creativity in policy formulation, good human relations, and positive managerial attributes. will provide evidence of membership in reputable professional bodies recognised by the Federal Government;
“Provide evidence of scholarly publications in reputable journals as well as presentation of invited papers at educational conferences, seminars, and workshops to be able to attract research grants and development facilities to the polytechnic; person with initiative and vision with the capacity to sustain the accelerated pace of development of the Polytechnic even under financial and other challenging constraints;
“A person who is not likely to pursue racial, gender, political, religious, or other sectional interests; morally sound; of impeccable character proven integrity and free from financial embarrassments; physical and mentally fit (with evidence from a government hospital); proficient in information and communication technology (ICT).
“Overall, the entire conditions above are minimum irreducible criteria that must be strictly followed in line with the NBTE guidelines for the appointment of a rector. Similar conditions are set for the appointment of other principal officers.
“Gentlemen of the press, it is imperative to note that the Polytechnic, Ibadan, began the strict implementation of the guidelines in October 2023 with the election and appointment of the current Deputy Rector.
“We can not afford to do selective implementation at this time in the interest of our great citadel of learning and polytechnic education in Nigeria.
“As the tenure of the current management winds down on the 24 of March 2024, the process of appointing other principal officers for the institution (Rector, Bursar, Librarian, and Director of Works) is expected to start with the placement of advertisements for prospective candidates to apply for the four vacant positions.
“It is imperative to highlight the need for strict adherence to the approved guidelines at every stage of the process, starting with the content of the advertisement, to uphold fairness and equity.
“The implementation of the guideline will allow polytechnics to be managed only by chief lecturers with the qualities above, only from within the polytechnic system.
“Strict adherence to the provisions of the guidelines will ensure that the institution continues to thrive and maintain its reputation for excellence in education and administration; it is the only condition that can guarantee industrial harmony with the appointment of the next principal officers for The Polytechnic, Ibadan.
‘We want to appeal to our amiable governor, Engineer Oluseyi Makinde, to use his good office and commitment to the principles of fairness and equity to appoint only Chief Lecturers from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, as the next Rector of the institution.
“We have many qualified chief lecturers with the requisite experience and deep understanding of the polytechnic sector of tertiary institutions.
“We assure you that the Polytechnic Ibadan will thrive better and meet the goals and aspirations of the founding fathers if one of the chief lecturers is given the chance to manage the institution.”
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