By ABBAS BAMALLI

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic Daura, Katsina State, Prof. Aliyu Mamman, has expressed concern about the low student enrolment at the institution.

He expressed the concern in Daura on Friday during a press conference, ahead of the Polytechnic?s second Convocation scheduled for Saturday.

Mamman attributed the low enrolment to societal indifference towards polytechnic education compared to university education.

He noted that in spite of significant investments in human and capital resources to gain approval for various programmes, the enrolment remains low.

Currently, the institution has a total enrolment capacity of 2,600 students, granted by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). However, only 958 spaces are occupied.

This includes 857 National Diploma (ND) and 101 Higher National Diploma (HND) students, leaving 1,642 spaces vacant, which represents 63 per cent unutilised capacity.

Mamman highlighted that this issue persists in spite of numerous stakeholder engagements and sensitisation efforts.

In response, the institution is running public enlightenment campaigns through Radio, Newspapers, and Social Media to emphasise the importance of polytechnic education.

He further revealed that the Polytechnic had secured N750 million from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for skill development and equipment upgrades.

According to him, this funding has notably enhanced the institution?s skills acquisition programmes and improved equipment and laboratories.

Currently, eight laboratories across different departments are solar-powered, enabling students to conduct practical work without fear of power interruptions.

The Rector acknowledged TETFund?s support, stating that these contributions are highly appreciated by the institution.

Mamman added that the NBTE has approved the takeoff of 11 new HND programmes, including Accountancy, Agricultural Business, and Management.

Other approved programmes include Business Administration, Chemistry, Computer Engineering, Cyber Security, and Electrical Engineering.

The remaining programmes are Health Information Management, Microbiology, Office Technology and Management, and Surveying and Geo-informatics.

Mamman revealed that the institution would graduate 408 students from 11 departments and programmes at the upcoming second convocation. (NAN)

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