Oyo commissioner urges Polytechnics to embrace innovation, technology to enhance education

Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abdul Waheed Soliu , has urged the Management teams of the Ibadan polytechnic and Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic Eruwa, respectively to join hands with him in transforming the state’s education sector through the use of technology.

The Commissioner stated this on Thursday, while receiving the Management team led by the Rectors of the two institutions, Prof. Kazeem Adebiyi and Dr. Akinteye Adewuyi, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

He noted that education is a top priority of the present administration.

Soliu said the Governor Seyi Makinde- led government in the state has done a lot in the educational sector, having chosen it as one of its major pillars.

“I have been looking forward to receiving you. Let me appreciate you for coming to felicitate with me. I am one of your products because I did my post-graduate Diploma from Kwara State polytechnic, Ilorin. Therefore, once they mention Polytechnic, I know you are part of those who moulded me.

“We are ready for the business; the difference between the polytechnic and the Ministry of Education as of today is like the difference between six and half of a dozen.

“I have said that I want to use technology to drive innovation in the education industry in Oyo State. If truly I would like to use technology, I am referring to polytechnic in a way on how do we transform the education industry in the state. If India, with about 1.3 billion and China with about 4 billion population and their education is thriving, what are they using? It is nothing but technology. That is why we don’t emphasise so much on the ‘Polytechnic Curriculum’, and it is core.

“Go to an advanced economy, nobody relies on degrees but on intermediate certificates, technical colleges, OND, HND and they are doing very okay.

“What is on the ground at the polytechnic is enough to make innovations happen. I am going to welcome many proposals from the institutions. So, let us see the area of collaboration and how we can partner.

“We have so much to do together to move the education industry forward in the state, I appreciate you, and thank you for coming”, the commissioner said.

In their separate remarks, the Rectors, the polytechnic of Ibadan, Prof. Kazeem Adebiyi and Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic Eruwa, Dr. Akinteye Adewuyi, congratulated the Commissioner, adding that his experience as an astute administrator and educationalist will be a great benefit to the ministry and the state as a whole.

The duo promised to work diligently with the commissioner to continue to uplift tertiary education to the highest level in the state.

They wished him a very successful and rewarding tenure of office and prayed to God to guide him in all the activities of the ministry.

The meeting, had in attendance, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education Science and Technology, Mr. Olusanjo Adeniyi,Management teams of Ibadan, Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnics, among others.