The management of Kwara State Polytechnic in Ilorin on Saturday said it has unbundled its Higher National Diploma (HND) programme in the Mass Communication and Computer Science courses.The polytechnic’s Rector, Dr Abdul Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement signed by the institution’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mrs Halimat Garba.

He said the development was in compliance with the directives of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). “The decision, which is aimed at enhancing the quality and relevance of technical education, will take effect from the 2024/2025 academic session,” the Rector said.Mohammed disclosed that the unbundling was necessitated by the need to meet the demands of the global information, communication and technology industry.He added that the unbundling would also allow students to dive deeper into their chosen field and develop the specialised skills employers are looking for.“With the new development, Mass Communication and Computer Science as a programme ceased to exist at Higher National Diploma ((HND) level,” the Rector said.He said the management has approved the appointment of departmental heads for the new programmes that came up from Mass Communication and Computer Science.Mohammed assured that all necessary resources and support would be provided to the new departments to ensure effective implementation of the new programmes.(NAN)

Prof. Kamil Rauf, the Director of University of Ilorin’s Computer-Based Centre, on Monday said a total number of 16,097 admission-seekers, attended the institution’s 2024 Post-UTME screening.

Rauf expressed delight over the seamless conduct of the exercise while speaking with newsmen in Ilorin, attributing the huge number to adequate preparations put in place by the university management.

“The success recorded in the exercise was as a result of the material and human resources’ support given to the CBT by the management.

“During the exercise, the centre employed the use of high level technological innovation it put in place by the institution,” he said.

Rauf also noted that the quality of the infrastructure at the CBT had impacted positively on the university’s internal examinations.

He said these included departmental examinations, Institute of Education examinations, Centre for Open and Distance Learning examination (CODL), remedial examinations and Post-UTME screening.

Rauf said that University of Ilorin, was also a centre used to conduct the police and pension service promotion examinations.

“Others include, examinations for the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Nursing Council of Nigeria, and Agricultural Council of Nigeria, among others,” he said.

The Director was however silent on the number of admission-seekers the university would be giving admission to for the 2024/2025 session.

”I will get back to the media on this once the decision is taken,” he said.(NAN)

The Students’ Union of the University of Ibadan (UI) on Friday rejected the school fees increment approved by the governing council of the institution.Report says that to show their disapproval, the students staged an overnight protest from 10:20 pm to 2 a.m.The President of the union, Bolaji Aweda; Vice-President, Bolutife Aboderin, and Secretary, Daniel Elemide in a statement, rejected the new fees.

“We reject the decision made by the council. We are embarking a boycott of classes until our demands are fulfilled.“We demand a reversal of the increase. The students demand that the school fees portal should be shut down within 24 hours until our demands were met,” they said.The union leaders urged students to make use of social media platfprms to mobilise others on the #UIFEESMUSTFALL and #SAVEUITES until there demands are met.NAN reports that the governing council of the university on Thursday, approved the increment in school fees of students of the university from 100 to 400 level and also fixed deadline for payment.In a statement signed by the Registrar and secretary to the council, G.O. Saliu and available to UCJUI, the decision was reached at the inaugural meeting of the council held earlier on Thursday and it considered the new levy as recommended by the Senate of the University.Students who have not yet completed their registration, the council said, were advised to do so on or before Sept. 4.“Consequently, students who are yet to pay and complete their registration exercises are advised to do so, on or before Sept. 4, to enable departments download lists of registered students, in preparation for the First Semester Examination,” the release read in part.Additionally, the council urged students to take advantage of financial aids such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and various scholarships offered by the University and other benefactors to assist indigent students.The council also made it clear that there would be no extension of the registration deadline, as the portal will be closed after the specified date.“Council equally directed that students be encouraged to take advantage of the students’ loan fund (NELFUND) and sundry scholarships instituted by the University and other weil-meaning philanthropists, to cater for indigent students.“Above is for strict adherence as the portal will not be opened after the deadline,” the released further clarified.Report says that the deadline for the payment of school fees was initially suspended, following the July protest . (NAN)