Sometime this week,there was this news that the executive governor of Ogun state,Ibikunle Amosun has decided to work on the possibility of converting the leading Polytechnic in the state, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic to a University of Technology. I know to some, especially the students of the institution this action might be seen as a good news but in my own view I think it is quite on the contrary.
I can proudly say I am a product of this sector of higher institution(Polytechnic) and I have never for once felt and still does not feel disappointed for doing so.
On two different occasions have the idea of converting Yaba college of Technology into a University been nurtured and until now,the people involve are still 'foot dragging'.
Let me quickly add here that University and Polytechnic are both different entity that has a very different duties. One focusses more on the practical(Polytechnic) while the other is more of theoretical(University). So now merging or converting a polytechnic to a University is like upholding one sector at the detriment of others.
The question a graduate from a private University once posed to me while trying to make me feel inferior for being Polytechnic graduate was that "how many Professors do you have in Polytechnics?" Currently in Moshood Abiola Polytechnic there are 30 professors and news making round is hopefully by next year the number is expected to get to 50.
Another issue I do contend with is people trying to tell me that the quality produced by Polytechnics are of a very low standard, Recently I met with a graduate of one of the famous private universities who happened to have studied Political Science and does not know who the current Senate President is and was even telling at a point he doesn't know what his course of study(Political Science) is all about. Therefore, it can be said that its not a matter of being a Polytechnic or a University that make you a good or great product.
Instead of shutting down Polytechnics gradually in the name of upgrading them to University, the Government should know that the functions of a Polytechnic can not be over emphasized therefore the government should firstly try to upgrade the existing Polytechnics to a world standard by provinding necessary tools and the issue of disparity between the University and Polytechnic should be abolished and our Educational sector would better for it.
I can proudly say I am a product of this sector of higher institution(Polytechnic) and I have never for once felt and still does not feel disappointed for doing so.
On two different occasions have the idea of converting Yaba college of Technology into a University been nurtured and until now,the people involve are still 'foot dragging'.
Let me quickly add here that University and Polytechnic are both different entity that has a very different duties. One focusses more on the practical(Polytechnic) while the other is more of theoretical(University). So now merging or converting a polytechnic to a University is like upholding one sector at the detriment of others.
The question a graduate from a private University once posed to me while trying to make me feel inferior for being Polytechnic graduate was that "how many Professors do you have in Polytechnics?" Currently in Moshood Abiola Polytechnic there are 30 professors and news making round is hopefully by next year the number is expected to get to 50.
Another issue I do contend with is people trying to tell me that the quality produced by Polytechnics are of a very low standard, Recently I met with a graduate of one of the famous private universities who happened to have studied Political Science and does not know who the current Senate President is and was even telling at a point he doesn't know what his course of study(Political Science) is all about. Therefore, it can be said that its not a matter of being a Polytechnic or a University that make you a good or great product.
Instead of shutting down Polytechnics gradually in the name of upgrading them to University, the Government should know that the functions of a Polytechnic can not be over emphasized therefore the government should firstly try to upgrade the existing Polytechnics to a world standard by provinding necessary tools and the issue of disparity between the University and Polytechnic should be abolished and our Educational sector would better for it.
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