The Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu State, has established a Security Academy to provide full-time training and studies on various aspects of security and cybercrime.

The School, which stressed its commitment to the development of indigenous technology while embracing strategic partnerships that would empower its staff and alumni to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s industrialisation and global advancement, explained that the Academy would award certificates in security to qualify holders for employment and Consultancy.

Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof. Gozie Ogbodo, stated during the 52nd Founders’ Day celebration that the IMT was positioning itself as a hub of innovation, community relevance, and international competitiveness.

“We are trying to breach the gaps in security because of the current dynamics in technology-related crimes. The Academy, which is already in full swing, will undertake physical security training and teaching, and issue certificates to its graduates. These certificates will help them acquire jobs or be consulted as experts on security issues. The problem really is that we employ people as security without training and foundation. This is part of our innovations”, the Rector said

He stated that the school, which was established in 1973, had remained a “truly autonomous and innovative institution” and steadily advanced in its pursuit of knowledge, character, and national development.

He stated that eight departments of the school had been affiliated with the University of Nigeria (UNN) for degree-awarding programs, assuring that more would follow in due course.

Ogbodo however, stated that for the school to be able to sustain tempo and compete in the changing world of technology, there must be change of mindset among the staff, revenue diversification, excellence in teaching and research, massive infrastructure development, ICT driven innovation, efficient human resource management and fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability.

He stated that in the quest for academic and administrative excellence, the school had achieved 100 per cent accreditation, including nine new academic programmes, introduced a new faculty-based examination model, and banned extortion, sexual harassment, sorting, and all forms of indiscipline.

Ogbodo added that the school had started the implementation of health insurance for students, restoration of water within the campus, renovation of hostels and lecture halls, resuscitation of the Industrial Centre, its Knowledge Centre for the study of German, skill development hubs for smart school graduates, creation and expansion of IMT Entreprises to include bread, water, photo studio, radio, newspaper and TV as well as partnership with Dewdrops hospitality, Uli Furniture, Printing Press and IMT farm.

He urged the staff and students to remain committed to the ideals of the school’s founding fathers, assuring them that his administration was prepared to support initiatives that would transform the IMT. (The Guardian)