Lokoja-based Nigeria Korean Friendship Institute (NKFI) is set for the next level after a recent visit of National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to the institution with assurances of full accreditation of its programmes.
The NBTE resource inspection and accreditation team gave the management of NKFI assurance at the end of the verification exercise in Lokoja on Wednesday.
The team lead, Engineer Jafar Garuba, stated that both the resource personnel, curriculum and equipment of the institution are of high standards which have sufficiently met the NBTE requirement, assuring that there would be no delay in granting the approval.
He stated that students’ low enrolment into the school was worrisome, saying the massive equipment and up to date instructors have been under utilised.
He called on the parents and students to embrace technical and vocational education for self reliance.
He added that the time for white collar jobs have gone, saying skills and not paper qualifications is the way out of unemployment logjam and dependence on government jobs that are not readily available.
He disclosed that Nigeria Korea Friendship Institute of Advanced Technology possess the same status with Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology, as they both awards National Diploma.
He commended Kogi state government to have secured collaboration with Korean government for the establishment of the institute, the first of its kinds in the sub-Saharan African and urged for mass advocacy and mobilisation to motivate the interest of the school leavers to get placement into the institute.
”What we saw in terms of personnel and equipment were second to none of her peers in this country. The equipment in all the departments are massive and up to date and can compete favourably anywhere in the world.
”With little challenges of insufficient offices and furniture for the Heads of Departments, staff and instructors, and insufficient classrooms, the practical content of the programmes as exhibited by the students work books are appreciative. We urge the management to develop the curriculum around local content,” he said.
He assured of the Board’s commitment to assist the school in delivering its mandate of producing global leaders that would use their brains and hands to create jobs rather than seeking for employment.
In his submission, Mr. Charles Udoh, of Charles BL Academy, a member of the team and expert in software engineering, commended the management for their Ingenuity in embarking on training and retraining of the instructors.
He expressed satisfaction with the practical content of the course which is a total departure from theoretical approach, urging them to use simulator to impart practical knowledge to the students.
He called on the management to improve on the laboratories and connect the E-library to the internet.
In a remark, the Rector of the institute, Charles Oluwatoyin thanked the team for the meticulous inspection of the facilities and solicit their support for prompt granting of the accreditation.
He commended Governor Yahaya Bello for his unwavering support for the institute, saying despite the lean resources of the state, he was able to mobilise resources for the exercise.
Programmes presented for inspection include, welding and fabrication, automotive, mechantronic and robotic engineering, software engineering, computer and networking.
