Kwara : IVTEC Holds 3rd Matriculation Ceremony As Rector Reveals Plans To Start 2-Year Diploma Course

The International Vocational , Technical & Entrepreneurship College, Ajase-Ipo , Kwara state , has announced plans to start a diploma course that will further make it easy for the institution to achieve the aim of producing the needed man power relevant to the 21st century economy. The institution is also well-positioned and ready to play critical role in Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s commitment to education and human capital development and his administration’s agenda of revamping education in the state in order to make Kwara second to none. The Rector, Dr Ade Somide , who stated this at the 3rd Matriculation ceremony held by the institution on Thursday also said officials of the National Board for Technical Education have visited the institution and inspected its facilities in order to secure accreditation for a two –year National Innovation diploma course which will keep the students longer on campus and make them learn more. ‘IVTEC was commissioned by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the 21st of November ,2017 , our first year of operation was 2018 and we did short term certificate programme to provide first level skills training in various fields after which they were attached to industries and businesses which was six months for the students sponsored by the World Bank and nine months for those in the N-Power category, it is purely for apprenticeship . Once you have the first level skills training , you can practice what you have learned here . We have just succeeded in having the National Board for Technical Education visitation and inspection carried out and we are about to begin a national innovation diploma programme which will be a two –year course . This will make us keep the students longer and they will learn more . It is quite different from the diplomas you get from other higher institutions. Ours is tailored to train individuals who want to really practice the trade, electrical engineers and others’ he said. Speaking on the funding needs of the institution, the Rector said IVTEC has sustained relations with the partners and the sponsors while noting that the state government has invested greatly in the college and thus, urged that the support be continued . ‘The state government has invested a lot here and we plead that the state government continues to support IVTEC , the presidency saw the values and that is why they are partnering with us , we are hoping such support is sustained. The 2 -year programme will hopefully put us at same pedestal with other world class institutions ultimately the goal is to have a man power in the country that is competitive and relevant to the 21st century economy ‘ he noted. Somide who also described the current mode of training and skills acquisition in the country as obsolete said the need to get it modernized has become inevitable. ‘The current mode of training and skill acquisition in Nigeria is archaic , it is old fashioned and does not go in tandem with the 21st century knowledge economy , this college was established with the aim of modernizing the mode of training in the country in order to have highly skilled labour that can compete anywhere in the world we believe it will not only address the issue of poverty but also empowers our youth and turn them to employers of labour .It is a great investment that has been made here by the Kwara state government we thank God that we were able to graduate 300 students last year and currently there are 460 students . About 350 are being sponsored by the World Bank while 70 students are being sponsored through the N-Power scheme , we also have the KWIRS supporting 46 artisans it is a good development , we are hoping that this laudable project will be expanded, we have plans to expand our capacity to do more in order to begin to export skilled labour after we must have taken care of the labour needs of the nation’s economy’ he said. Also speaking at the event, the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Sikiru Atanda Sanni who praised the Rector for his efforts , adviced the students to face their studies and warned them against tool theft or getting involved in negative activities while stating that his door is always open to any student that wishes to lodge any complaint. The Guest Speaker, Mallam Nasir Abdulkadir who spoke on the topic ‘Entrepreneurial Mindset’ quoted verses from the Bible and the Qur’an to support the submission that God has given men the knowledge and the ability to utilize their talents to impact on others. While stating that what is lacking in most artisans is the ability to manage both human and material resources, he advised the students to make themselves different from the conventional artisans. In her remarks, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Mariam Ayodeji Garba asked the students to take to heart the reality that it is not only through formal education that one can be successful in life. She noted that IVTEC was established to promote entrepreneurship among the youth and thus, urged the matriculating students to focus on excelling in their academics and take advantage of the numerous opportunities that IVTEC provides. Stating that though the vision of the founders of the institution was to produce skilled artisans, the products of the institution may according to her, eventually turn out to be great men in the world cognizant of their vibrancy , youthfulness and versatility. IVTEC, an institution built by the administration of Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed is designed to provide the needed platform to cultivate competitive talents for different professions, receiving society’s recognition. The matriculated students are expected to undergo three months technical and vocational training in Electrical, Carpentry & Joinery, Welding and Fabrication, Catering and Culinary service, plumbing ,welding and fabrication ,Building Construction, Automotive Mechatronics, Masonry, CCTV, Web Design and Computer Hardware between July and September 2019. The event was also used as a platform to present cash prizes to the best graduating students among the products of the institution in order to encourage the new students and promote academic excellence