Dr. Gabriel Adeware, the Provost of De Potter College of Health Technology in Oru-Ijebu, Ogun State, said on Thursday that education is not only about acquiring knowledge but also about converting what is learned into ideas and innovations.
This was as he also encouraged the new students of the institution to dream big and dare to step out of their comfort zone, saying the college authorities are there to assist them achieve their maximum potential.
Dr Adeware made the remarks in his address during the 12th matriculation ceremony of the college where he hinted that the ultimate dream of the institution is to someday metamorphose into a University of Health Sciences.
While congratulating the matriculates, he told them that their admission was not an accident but a testament to their hard work, dedication and potential.
“You have joined the community that has a rich legacy of academic excellence, innovation and societal impact; a legacy you will now help us shape,” he said.
He said further: “The purpose of education is not always to acquire knowledge, but it is the wisdom to convert the knowledge acquired into practical – and that is what De Potter will give you.
“We are here to guide you, so that whatever knowledge we impart into you, you can convert it to ideas and innovations.
“You are now part of a committee of scholars; people who are passionate about learning, driven by curiosity and dedicated to pushing the boundaries of knowledge.”
Adeware said the college is fully accredited and approved by relevant authorities.
He gave a list of relevant federal and state accreditation and regulatory bodies that had given the college approval for its operations.
“De Potter College of Health Technology today has an operational licence by the Federal Ministry of Education to operate as a private college of health science in Nigeria.
“We have approval of establishment by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). That makes us a full-fledged polytechnic. We also have full accreditation by the NBTE to run ND courses in Environmental Health Technology, Community Health and Public Health.
“Just last year, the NBTE also approved that we would start ND Health Information Management.
“We have full accreditation by the Community Health Practitioners Registration of Nigeria, and we have full accreditation by the Health Records Officers Registration Board of Nigeria.”
Others he listed include provisional accreditation by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria; approval to commence training by the Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria, and a professional approval to commence training by the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria.
Dr Adeware also spoke about facility upgrades constantly going on in the college. This includes the construction of additional hostel facility to augment the existing halls to ease the accommodation needs of students, as well as upgrading of the ICT infrastructure of the college to serve more now as a resource centre for students.
“We have acquired additional lands which will give room for additional developments and to also allow us actualize our dreams, which is to eventually metamorphose into a University of Health Science in the future,” he said.
In his short remarks, the governing board chairman, Dr Cornelius Onanuga, encouraged the matriculates to work hard and to take advantage of all opportunities the college presents.
He also advised them to choose their friends wisely and shun every form of distraction.
The president of the college’s alumni association, Mr Samuel Timothy, advised the students to embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead, be curious, open-minded, ready to take risks, and never lose sight of their goal.
He also commended the management and staff of the college for providing a conducive learning environment.
An old student of the college and currently the vice chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Ms Elizabeth Adetutu Oyesanya, encouraged the new students to be focused and ensure they complete what they started, as, according to her “not all students will graduate” but only those who keep their focus.
The chairman of Ijebu North Local Government, Bolaji Ogunsanya, pledged to work with the management to ensure security of lives and property in and around the college.
He also expressed his readiness to assist the college get better.
The matriculation oath was administered to the students by the Deputy Registrar, Students Affairs, Mrs O.M. Olateju.
