Dr Chioma Awuzie, the newly appointed Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Anambra, has promised to take the institution to a new level of academic and infrastructure growth.
Awuzie said this during his inaugural address to the Polytechnic community in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Awuzie’s appointment as Rector of the institution was confirmed on Feb. 4.
She said her appointment was a collective opportunity to shape the future of the Polytechnic, and ensure that it continued to fulfill its mandate as a premier institution dedicated to technical, vocational and entrepreneurial education.
The rector said her administration was committed to upholding this legacy of excellence while pushing the boundaries of knowledge, innovation, and technological development.
“We will strengthen our academic curricula, embrace digital transformation, and ensure that our students graduate with not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills that will make them competitive in the global job market,” she said.
Awuzie appreciated President Bola Tinubu and the Polytechnic Governing Council led by Sen. Barnabas Gemade for approving and recommending her appointment as well as member of the institution’s community for their support.
She said 12 pillars would enjoy priority attention under her administration including, human resource development, staff welfare, academic reinvention and development, students’ welfare, discipline, anti-cultism and academic integrity,
Others are relationship with stakeholders, public relations and image management, security, financial transparency and infrastructure development,
She said that these would serve as a strategic roadmap for repositioning the institution as a hub of technological creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness.
According to her, a secure campus is essential for the well-being of our staff and students, we will leverage modern technology and foster strong community.
“Prudent management of financial resources is essential for the long-term sustainability of the Polytechnic, our administration will strictly adhere to principles of financial transparency and that funds are utilised efficiently.
“As part of our strategic roadmap, we will focus on infrastructure expansion and modernisation to create an enabling environment for teaching, learning, practice and research.
“We will implement the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model under Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), enabling private entities to develop infrastructure, operate them for a specified period, and subsequently transfer.
“These efforts will create a serene and high quality learning environment that fosters academic excellence, innovation and overall well-being,” she said.
Awuzie said the institution needed the collective strength, ideas, and expertise of all stakeholders, staff, students, alumni, and friends of the Polytechnic while pledging her willingness to engage, accommodate, and collaborate with all.
She said with a spirit of inclusivity and teamwork, there was no limit to what could be achieved even though the task ahead was enormous.
“Let us build a Polytechnic that we will all be proud of; one that nurtures talents, inspires dreams, and produces the leaders of tomorrow,” she said
In his remark, Dr Fidelis Oduah, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), FedPoly Oko Branch, congratulated Awuzie for emerging as the first female Rector from the Polytechnic community
Oduah expressed confidence that the new rector was a prayer answered as she was one of their own and understood the challenges they faced.
“What we ask for is timely promotion, improved working conditions, comprehensive welfare packages including Christmas bonus for members of staff.
“We have longed to have an Internal , Internally Generated Rector (IIGR), we thank God for this grace and I want to assure madam Rector of our support.
Mr Chijioke Ibeziako, the Public Relations Officer of the Polytechnic, said the appointment was a pleasant end to search for a substantive Rector which produced four acting rectors in one year.
Ibeziako said Awuzie’s administration would bring huge value to the successes of previous administrations while maintaining that FedPoly Oko remained one of the best in Nigeria.
Prof. Godwin Onu, a former rector of the Polytechnic congratulated Awuzie saying only God made kings and that the Rector needed more than praises to succeed but real support and space to actualise her dreams for the institution.
