By Emeka Odogwu
The technological relevance of polytechnic education in the fast changing 21st century, in fact, cannot be under estimated particularly in the Nigerian Economic, Social and Political contexts. It is indeed hard to think otherwise. Any wonder some serious minded individuals and institutions are now striving with extra fervour to make their own marks in any of the nation’s sectors.
Gozie Anyachebelu Polytechnic (GOZPOLY) in Anambra State, popularly referred to as “A Polytechnic with human face”, is one of the institutions desirous of turning the fortunes of the nation via Technological Education. By taking up the challenging initiative, the polytechnic has overtly expressed one of its avowed mission statements, a grand poise to restore the apparent ailing dignity of Tertiary Education in Nigeria.
Yes, of course, there is no gainsaying that Tertiary Education in Nigeria has, to an extent, gone haywire being encumbered by a multitude of challenges that tend to undermine its potentials.
Among such unfortunate encumbrances include deteriorating infrastructure, overcrowded lecture-rooms, incessant industrial actions by various sections of the tertiary academic community, administrative inefficiencies and a whopping disconnect between the academic curriculum and the demands of the labour market.
However, be it as it may, in the midst of these challenges, certain institutions stand out for their commitment to redefining Tertiary Education and restoring its dignity. GOZPOLY being one of such institutions, has emerged with a firm promise of making waves for its innovative approach to education in the 21st Century, emphasizing not just mere academic excellence, but also the all-round development of its students.
Today, GOZPOLY has through deliberate policies, a student-centered pedagogic model, and an unprecedented commitment to community development, set a new standard for Polytechnic Education in the South Eastern States of Anambra, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and beyond.
In an attempt to deepen the awareness of its presence in the South Eastern States, the Rector of the polytechnic, Engr Mrs Chioma Abone, on Thursday, October 10, 2024, led a team of the institution’s staff, on an elaborate grassroots advocacy tour, to several dense populated areas in the zone, especially within Onitsha and its environs. They had during the enlightenment campaign explained some aspects of the polytechnic.
She remarked that among other things, the central core of GOZPOLY’s Philosophy was a deep understanding that students were not just ordinary figures in the society, but individuals with unique potentials, aspirations, and challenges.
In a 10-minute interview shortly after the campaign, Engr Mrs Abone said, “Unlike many institutions where, not of their own making, students often seem turned into faceless entities in the scheme of things, in contrast, here, at GOZPOLY, we have consciously placed our students at the center of our operations”.
In an emotionally inviting tone, the rector further explained, “This ‘human face’ approach is evident in the way we have designed to interact with our students, to provide personalized support and to extend a sense of belonging to them”.
Indeed, what she said, was in part demonstrated in the tuition policy of the school where, out of concern for the students’ welfare, the polytechnic lowered its fees to affordable levels. Also, during the recent enlightenment campaign, the school showcased its supportive caring Philosophy to its students when, in the course of the campaign in Onitsha, some of its prospective students were empowered with sums ranging from #1,000 and above.
Concerning the value of polytechnic education in the contemporary world, Engr Mrs Abone frowned at what she described as the unfortunate concept of such education in Nigeria, saying, “For too long, Polytechnic Education has been viewed as inferior to University Education”, a perception which she said had done a great disservice to the immense value which “polytechnics offer”.
However, according to the Rector, an Electrical/Electronic Engineer, “Today, as a result of the said wrong perception of polytechnic education, GOZPOLY with its legendary ‘Human Face’ is playing a pivotal role in challenging the unrealistic stereotype and consequently bent on restoring the dignity of Polytechnic Education, particularly, in Nigeria”.
