The event, held at the institution’s academic auditorium on Thursday was graced by the presence of dignitaries, staff, students, and parents.
In his address, the Rector of MAPOLY, Dr. Adeoye Odedeji, warmly welcomed the matriculating students and commended their parents and guardians for their support.
He expressed the Polytechnic’s deep appreciation to the Governor of Ogun State and the institution’s moderator, Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun, CON, for his continued support and contributions to the growth of the school.
Highlighting the excellence of MAPOLY, Dr. Odedeji emphasized the institution’s reputation for producing graduates who excel in various sectors such as academics, industry, communication, banking, engineering, and the sciences.
He assured the students that the Polytechnic’s strong relationship with industries would provide them with essential skills and vocational training, reinforcing its position as a leader in technical education in Nigeria.
"This ceremony marks your official admittance into Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta and also the beginning of your higher educational pursuit to actualize your lifetime dream" the Rector said
Dr. Odedeji also highlighted the opportunities available to MAPOLY students, such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which is open to fresh students in the National Diploma and Higher National Diploma programs.
He urged students to take advantage of the Centre for Skill Development and the Career Service Centre, which provide training and advisory services.
As part of the institution’s commitment to enhance the students' vocational education, the Rector introduced the mandatory skill qualification program under the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), which ensures that all students acquire practical skills in their chosen fields before graduation.
Odedeji noted that there's collaborations with international organizations, including German International Development Cooperation (GIZ) and Huawei Technologies as key initiatives to boost students' employability.
The Rector advised the fresh students to remain focused on their studies, avoid anti-social behaviours, and maintain discipline throughout their stay at the institution.
He also encouraged them to embrace leadership roles, reminding them to uphold the good name of the Polytechnic and their families.
"The Polytechnic has realized that when human element is not properly managed, it will rubbish any technology that might have been put in place. To this effect and in line with the National Skills Qualification Frameworks (NSQF), our Centre for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Centre are fully equipped to put you through a training programme called mandatory skill qualification in practical skills in a trade or occupation of your which will earn you certification during your graduation.
"I wish to inform you that a Career Service Centre has been established to provide advisory services to all students on choice and development.
"Our mandate is to raise modern workforce that is skilled, leveraging on technology, noting that a nation can only progress when their technology and vocational education are seen as core to the development.
"l want to urge you all to key into the NSQF for fourth industrial revolution and I can assure you that no students would graduate from the Polytechnic without undergoing mandatory skilled qualification programme in any of the trades or occupation.
" This will be in addition to digital competency training, to be certificated by two global computer education Institutes CISCO and Huawei Technologies.
"I am pleased to inform you that we have collaborations with several international agencies such as German International Development Cooperation (GIZ), who had trained more that 300 of our students on Skills Development for Youth Employment (SKYE) in a bid to promoting Skill-Based Technical Vocational Education.
Meanwhile, the Director of Students Affairs, Dr. Kolawole Amos, encouraged the newly admitted students to excel in their academic and personal pursuits.
He emphasized that any involvement in secret societies would not be tolerated if discovered by the institution
Dr. Amos strongly urged the students to avoid joining any illicit organizations or clubs that could jeopardize their future.
The management also commissioned the newly constructed career service centre which provide students and graduates of the Polytechnic and other stakeholders with Career Services through mentoring, coaching, industrial and alumni connections along their career life cycle for enhanced compatibility and global employability.
