Culled from THE PIONEER newspaper of Monday, 25th May 2015
The Akwa Ibom State government has lauded the management and governing council of Foundation College of Technology, Ikot Ekpene for its contributions to the development of the education sub-sector in the state.The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Atim Antai gave the commendation during the second matriculation ceremony of the college held recently at the college convocation park.
Antai applauded them for providing impressive landmarks in terms of quality structures and facilities for effective teaching , adding that the large turnout of distinguished guests and members of the public at the ceremony was indication of the general acceptance of the school by the people and also an attestation to the progress the school was making to strengthen partnership and networking to ensure that the college remain on course as the pride of the state and Nigeria at large.
She maintained that having been accredited by the National Board for Technical Education NBTE, it was incumbent on the governing council, management staff and friends of the institution to work hard as a team to sustain this noble effort and continue to build on the progress of the institution by remaining focused on the production of high cadre middle level man power for accelerated national development.
The commissioner reminded the school that the introduction of the free and compulsory education in the public primary and secondary schools in Akwa Ibom state by the Akpabio’s administration is a priceless jewel as well as a lifetime asset and indeed the best gift any good father should give to her children and reiterated that Akwa Ibom State government encourages the establishment of standard private and tertiary institutions in the state as this will not only create more education opportunities for the youths but also for the citizens.
In his address, the president, Foundation College of Technology, Mr Edet Ekanem, disclosed that programmes of the institution are specially designed to develop low and middle cadre manpower to meet the need of Hi-Tech industries and are also skilled-based, tailored to link theoretical knowledge and experiences with practical applications in industries.
Ekanem stated that the council has provided world-class facilities in the institution for all the programmes offered , adding that students on completion will be equipped with sufficient skills to establish their own business if desired without waiting for none existing white coller jobs as they have an edge over others.
“We have left no stone unturned in making sure that students enjoy sophisticated and 24 hours internet services in the campus as the antenna and mast for the Information Communication Technology (ICT), facilities have been erected ready for the services to finish all necessary connections and deployment” Ekanem explained.
The president who is also the chairman governing council of the college further stated that as part of it social corporate responsibility, the college has instituted a scholarship scheme for deserving students since 2013 till date, maintaining that the scheme is in support of Governor Akpabio’s free and compulsory education policy which is aimed at ensuring that the beneficiaries of the free and compulsory education of the state government who have completed secondary education are assisted to further their education up to tertiary level.
He hinted that 350 students are currently enjoying the scholarship awarded in various programmes in the institution in both the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 sessions, adding that 20 of those enjoying the scholarship are on full scholarship while the remaining 330 are under partial scholarship based on the result of the scholarship test by the college on Friday, November 29,2013, Friday December 20, 2013, and Friday, October 3, 2014 respectively.
Ekanem appealed to the federal government, state government, local government, private organizations and philanthropists to assist in contributing to the scholarship scheme of the institution and also provide access roads to the college, while charging all the matriculating students to be steadfast, hardworking, serious and diligent in their studies and as well avoid being lured into cultism, examination malpractice and other social vices as there are dire consequences for defaulters as contained in the college handbook.
In her address, the rector of the college, Mrs Agnes Ikot, stressed that the college is a special technology based tertiary institution with the main focus on preparing students who are innovative, receptive, highly adaptable, problem-solving minded with a predisposition to life-long learning, leadership and career in an ever changing world, stating that the vision of the college is to become the pioneer tertiary institution of global distinction.
Going down memory lane Ikot said the institution was accredited by NBTE via a letter with reference number TEB/PRO/VE/S/170/VOL.1/64 dated May 23,2014 and was further approved by the honourable minister of education for operation via a letter with reference number C/TEB.553/VOL.1/189 dated May 23,2014, adding that Akwa Ibom government through the department of establishments affirmed the status of the institution through a letter of recognition with reference number HCS/ES/S/23/1/VOL.XI/307.
She charged the 260 matriculating students cut across the various departments to maintain the values of the institution which include hard work, creativity and innovation, while shunning examination malpractice, cultism, indecent dressing among other vices.
In the separate interview, on behalf of the matriculating students which include the class representative for Computer Software Engineering Technology, Philip Uyoata, thanked God for making them partakers of the matriculation and promised to be of good conduct while taking their studies seriously.
Also commenting, some parents which include Mr Linus Edet, Mrs Gladys Osakunih and Mrs Joy Obinna commended the management of the college for providing such a citadel of learning for their children thus taking them off the street, and charged the students to be of best conduct and study hard to become useful citizens to themselves, their families and the society at large.
Highpoint of the ceremony was presentation of the matriculating students by heads of various departments and reciting of the matriculation pledge by the students.
