Federal Polytechnic Bauchi matriculates first set of Degree students

From Paul Orude, Bauchi

Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, has matriculated its first set of 240 degree students for the 2019/2020 academic year.

The Rector, Sanusi Waziri Gumau, disclosed that the polytechnic
introduced degree programmes in affiliation with Abubakar Tafawa
Balewa University, (ATBU), Bauchi.

Gumau was addressing the students during the matriculation ceremony
held at the 501 Hall of the polytechnic, on Friday.

“When I assumed office as the sixth substantive Rector of the
Polytechnic, I nursed the idea of expanding our tentacles in line with
the fulfillment of our mission of achieving global competitiveness in
technological training, through the provision of capable human
resources, infrastructural facilities and participate in national and
international linkages,” he said

“Words will always fail me, in acknowledging the big-brother role the
ATBU played and is still playing, in fast tracking the processes
leading to the successful realisation of our affiliation with it,” the
rector said.

He assured that the polytechnic will always fulfill its part of the
bargain in “this academic romance,” as it is equipped with adequate
equipment, manpower and laboratories for training of degree students.

“The new Polytechnic Act empowers us to provide full and part-time
courses of instruction and training to produce not only middle level,
but also high level manpower in technology, applied science, commerce,
management and other fields that are relevant to the development of
Nigeria,” Gumau said.

Vice-Chancellor of ATBU, Professor Muhammadu Ahmed Abdulazeez, who was represented by Professor Mansur Usman Malunfashi, said the university
has no cause to be disappointed in the affiliation with polytechnic.

“As the tradition demands, we are here today to perform this matriculation as pre- requisite function in order to formally admit you into the main stream of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
Community.

“Let me therefore congratulate you for this special opportunity. You
can only appreciate the special chance you have when you consider the
great number of qualified persons like you who are unable to secure
admission and get registered into a University,” the VC said.

Abdulazeez warned the new students against vices, saying, “Anti-social
behaviors such as cultism, examination mal-practice, sexual
harassment, drug abuse, indecent dressing, vandalism and truancy are
prohibited.

“Our duty here is not only to give you access to knowledge, but also
to help in molding your character so that you become responsible
citizens of our nation.

“Those who are too arrogant to conform will be shown the way out. ATBU
and Federal Polytechnic Bauchi has something in common, zero tolerance
‘to all form social vices”.

A breakdown of the figure showed that 108 students from the Faculty of
Engineering and 132 from the Faculty of Environmental Technology
matriculated for the first set of degree programs introduced by the
polytechnic.