In a bid to ensure that the age long HND/Bachelor’s degree dichotomy is curtailed, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, have taken a significant step towards strengthening academic collaboration with the formal signing of a Memorandaum of Understanding (MoU) for the affiliation of the Polytechnic with the University to enable Oko polytechnic students graduate with Bachelor’s degree.
Welcoming the delegation from Federal Polytechnic, Oko, the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Anyaehie, expressed delight over the consummation of the partnership and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to a productive and mutually beneficial relationship.
Prof. Anyaehie noted that the affiliation provides an opportunity to extend the University’s tradition of academic excellence and institutional values to the Polytechnic community. He stated that the University looks forward to working closely with Federal Polytechnic, Oko, and expressed optimism that the collaboration would create new opportunities for academic development, research advancement, and capacity building.
The Vice-Chancellor further observed that the partnership could pave the way for the introduction of postgraduate programmes in the future, stressing that both institutions stand to benefit immensely from the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and resources. He described the affiliation as the beginning of a long-term strategic relationship and thanked the delegation for the visit.
Earlier, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, who led the delegation, expressed profound appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor and Senate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University for approving the affiliation arrangement.
She also commended the University Management and the Directorate of Academic Planning for their cooperation and support throughout the process. Dr. Awuzie described the affiliation as a landmark development for the Polytechnic and assured the University that her institution would strictly adhere to the terms and guidelines governing the partnership.
According to her, the collaboration marks the beginning of greater opportunities between the two institutions and could evolve into broader academic programmes and initiatives in the future. She expressed confidence that the relationship would contribute significantly to educational advancement, institutional growth, and human capital development.
The highlight of the visit was the formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for the affiliation of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, with Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) authorises Federal Polytechnic, Oko, to run Bachelor’s Degree programmes in affiliation with Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in the following disciplines:
• Business Administration
• Public Administration
• Accountancy
• Banking and Finance
• Mass Communication
• Computer Science
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
Present at the event from Nnamdi Azikiwe University were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Alex Asigbo; the Registrar, Dr. Chinenye Gloria Okeke; the Chief Legal Officer, Dr. Reginald Uzochi; and the Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Angela Ufele-Obiezie.
Other members of the delegation from Federal Polytechnic, Oko, included the Deputy Rector (Academic), Dr. Nkiruka Maria-Assumpta Akabuike; the Registrar, Mr. Ayoola Adeleke Akeem; the Dean of Student Affairs, Mr. Chibuzo Asomugha; the Director of Academic Planning, Dr. Kenneth Ezekiel; and the Polytechnic Librarian, Dr. Ezemba Nwabu, among others.
