The management of Federal Polytechnic Ukana in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has secured accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education for 21 academic programmes.
The institution also obtained approval from the NBTE and the Federal Ministry of Education under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme to operate as a skills training centre in fashion design, leatherwork, paint making, printing and decoration, among other trades.
The Rector, Mrs Eduma Essien, disclosed this on Saturday while presenting her 12-month stewardship account.
She said the accreditation covers 19 National Diploma and three Higher National Diploma programmes.
“One of the significant milestones recorded in this first year is in the area of accreditation of academic programmes. We successfully secured accreditation for 21 academic programmes covering ND and HND programmes,” she said.
She added that the approval to operate as a skills training centre reflects effective academic planning, compliance with regulatory standards and strong inter-departmental collaboration.
Mrs Essien noted that the institution is addressing infrastructural gaps, adding that several projects sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund are at various stages of completion.
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To boost its revenue base and enhance practical training, she said the polytechnic has commenced production activities, including tissue paper manufacturing, furniture making, paint production and block moulding.
On international collaboration, the rector disclosed that 27 staff members received TETFund scholarships to attend an international conference in Kigali, which she said has improved the institution’s international visibility, research network and adoption of global best practices in teaching and academic planning.
The Commissioner for Education in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Ubong Umoh, commended the rector’s efforts in bridging infrastructural gaps, noting that the vision aligns with Governor Umo Eno’s education programme under the ARISE agenda.
He urged students to take advantage of the NELFund loan scheme to support their education and ease financial pressure.
The event, attended by staff, management, traditional rulers and community leaders, also featured the commissioning of the Skills Training Centre and the Entrepreneurship Development Centre of the polytechnic.