Don Gives Recipe for Nation's Technological Breakthrough
A member of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics(ASUP) and Dean, School of Engineering, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro in Ogun State, Professor Sabit Ariyo Olagoke has given a recipe for the attainment of the much sought technological and economic breakthrough in the country.
Speaking on “Socio-Economic Challenges In a Developing Nation: The place of Technical Education” during a four day National Conference of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) South West Ilaro 2015,the Dean called for a collaboration between the governments and stake holders in technical education.
“For vocational and technical education to survive in Nigeria and meet the world economic order, government must focus on training, retraining and learning of technical educators and students in an environment where all the necessary tools, machines, equipment, and facilities are working for the training of technical education graduates with adequate funding above UNESCO recommended benchmark of 26 percent.
Olagoke who is also an Inspector of Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN) recommended that Government must make accessible and affordable, loans with low interest rates to the entrepreneurs as well as formulation and implementation of right policies to achieve sustainable development.
Olagoke said that there must be a collaboration between government and technical education stakeholders adding that it should be geared in the areas of government , upholding and implementing policies based on the ethical code of practices of all professional bodies for meaningful enhancement of technical education to have positive impact on emerging economy.
The Dean in his 23 page address noted that students who are adequately equipped with necessary skills and competences are more likely to establish own business and even employ others.
The former Head of Department of Mechanical Engineering urged Rectors or co- Heads and other stake holders in the Polytechnics to urgently make concrete effort aimed at first removing discrimination between HND and Degree holders particularly within the Polytechnic sector.
On technical education and vision 20:2020,Olagoke said the “private sector is to be the engine of economic growth. Unfortunately, the government is weak on her part of making and implementing laws and enforcing compliance. There is need to develop zero tolerance to corruption”
The conference would be rounded off Thursday with a communiqué to be issued on the way forward for the growth of technology in the country
