Provost appeals to reps committee to upgrade FCET Umunze to varsity

The Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra State, Prof. Josephat Ogbuagu has appealed to members of the House of Representatives Committee on Tertiary Education and Services to consider the elevation of the college to a University of Education (Technical).

Ogbuagu, who made the appeal while addressing members of the committee, led by the Chairman, Aminu Suleiman, who visited the college as part of their oversight function said FCET, Umunze, has run 13 degree programmes successfully in affiliation with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, for the past six years.

According to him, “the college now runs 13 degree programmes fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC), in affiliation with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. We have successfully run the degree programme without hitches for the past six years. We are therefore appealing to the committee members to upgrade the institution to a full- fledged University of Education (Technical), the first of its kind in the southeast geopolitical zone.”

Speaking on the challenges facing the institution, Ogbuagu said the college commenced academic activities in 1990 without a takeoff grant, urging lawmakers to revisit this as inadequate fund has hindered its development.

While soliciting for more funding allocation, the Provost said the recurring shortfall in fund (personnel and capital) has made it difficult to meet up with financial obligations.

He added that the college has defied all challenges to gain full accreditation for all her NCE programmes, as well as the Professional Diploma in Education owned by the Teachers Registration Council of
Nigeria (TRCN).

Commending the Provost for his commitment towards the growth of the college, Suleiman said the visit provided a good platform to interact with the administrators of academic institutions and obtain insightful ideas that would improve teaching and learning.

“After this budget of 2017, we had a very serious discussion with the presidency and the directive was that we should visit all the institutions to obtain an updated report of the problem of each institution. It will be a disservice if the institution provides half-report to the Committee,” he said.

Other members of the committee that visited the college include, Dr. Enitan Dolapo Baoru, representing Lagos Island 1; Muazu Lawal (Zamfara), Ben Nwankwo (Anambra), Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Malle (Taraba), Princess Stella Ngwu (Enugu), among others.