The management of Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo Ohaji has demonstrated its resolve to ensure that graduates of the institution are equipped with practical and employable skills. The institution, well known for high academic standards, has explored new frontiers in student mentorship in the sciences. Yesterday, Saturday, March 13, 2021, final year Higher National Diploma (HND) students of Biochemistry were trained in molecular techniques at the Centre for Molecular Sciences and Genetic Studies Owerri, owned and operated by Everight Diagnostic and Laboratory Services Ltd.

The students were on a field trip to the facility as a test phase of a blossoming partnership with the company, which currently operates the only composite molecular diagnostic laboratory in the state. The students were trained on different aspects, among them Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), DNA fingerprinting, Paternity testing and Electrophoresis as part of the Forensic Biochemistry course.

According to the Dean of Student Affairs of the Polytechnic, Dr Uzoma Prince Iwuanyanwu, the excursion and training will open opportunities for further partnerships with the private sector, adding that such symbiotic relationships are essential for sustainable education. “‘This opportunity would further be explored by the Academic Planning and Curriculum Development Unit, to maintain the superb academic standards of Imo State Polytechnic,” he said.

The course lecturer, Mr Nnamdi Ejekwumadu, expressed his gratitude to Everight Diagnostic and Laboratory Services Ltd. for the opportunity to expose their students to some of the practical aspects of the course, whose equipment are not available in the institution. “I am overwhelmed with joy that my students can now connect with all I have taught them. We are training them to compete with their counterparts across the world, as such we need to embrace the latest technologies,” he said.

One of the students, Moses Nnorom, was visibly excited and thanked the lecturers for being innovative. “Our class was able to learn online throughout the lockdown period due to impersonal techniques adopted by our lecturers, now they are raising the bar even higher with this excursion,” he said.

Addressing the students, the General Manager, Mr. Jude Ugwu, revealed that student excursions were important to the core values of the company. ‘‘We are open to welcome students at our facility as it is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility. In addition, we have a foundation which takes care of the cost of tests for poor people who cannot foot their bills,” he said.

Mr. Ugwu disclosed that Everight was the first approved privately run Covid-19 test centre in the entire South East and South-South regions. Services rendered at the facility, according to him, include general diagnostic tests, medical imaging such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI and Ultrasound while the vision of the company is to become a one stop shop in diagnosis.

•PHOTO: Course lecturers Mr. Nnamdi Ejekwumadu and Mrs. Judith Nwaodu, Lab Technologist, Mr. Kelechi Emereonye, and their students at the facility