Immediately after the creation of Yobe State, the then nascent Yobe State Government appreciated the need to improve the conditions and quality of education, particularly technical education, in the state. In consonance with this thinking, a decision was taken towards the end of 1992 to establish a Yobe State Polytechnic in Damaturu, the State Capital.
While necessary facilities and personnel were being put in place for the take-off of the State Polytechnic, the Federal Government notified the State Government of its decision to establish a Federal Polytechnic in Damaturu.
Accordingly, the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu was establish in May, 1993 by virtue of the Federal Polytechnics (Amendment No.2) Decree of 1 93. With the appointment of a pioneer Rector for the Polytechnic, Yobe State Government handed over the site of the former Government College Damaturu and the adjacent phase Il of the Yobe State Government Secretariat to the Federal Ministry of Education for the sitting of the Polytechnic. The institution took off with 6 academic departments which have gradually expanded over the years to 5 academic schools that are comprised of 12 academic departments today.
Constitution of a Governing Council and Execution of Projects
In order to facilitate speedy execution of projects for early take-off of the Polytechnic, the then Honourable Minister of Education constituted a special Task Force on the take-off of the Polytechnic on 20 April 1994 to function ¡in a way in accordance with its mandate, the task force commenced work Immediately to provide the essential facilities necessary for the take-off of the institution. This included among others: restructuring and renovation of classrooms offices and residential quarters to upgrade them to a standard befitting a Federal Polytechnic Similarly, offices and household furniture and equipment as well as academic facilities for classrooms laboratories and the Library were provided,in addition a 500 KVA Generator was also provided However, it was not until2001 that the first Governing Council was appointed for the institution under the Chairmanship of a seasoned administrator and two time Secretary to the Government of Plateau State Chief John N. Kum.mnj
Staffing
Interview for the recruitment of first set of senior staff was conducted on 15Th September 1994 by the Task Force at NBTE during which a total of 63 senior academic and non-academic staff were recruited. In addition a total of 312 junior staff were recruited over the same period to give Supporting services to the various divisions and units of the Polytechnic ,At the moment staff recruitment exercise is solely handled by the Management Committee of the institution, the JSAPC and SSAPC of the Council.
Students Admission
On 30th May 1994, the Task Force Considered and approved eight academic programme for the take-off of the Polytechnic as and when resources permitted Similar to the Governing Council of a Polytechnic in the\.Id appointment of staff and award of contracts” The Task Force comprised of officials from the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Beard for Technical Education, the Polytechnic and the Yobe State Ministry of Education. Accordingly academic departments were Constituted and Lecturers instructors recruited for these departments in Consonance with the academic Programmes approved by the Task Force. After a thorough screening and admission exercise, the Polytechnic received its Pioneer Students on 251h September 1995. Lectures commenced on 2’ October 1995 with 223 students offering Preliminary National Diploma courses in Business Studies Secretarial Studies Financial Studies. Science Laboratory Technology, Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology and Statistics within the same period, the Polytechnic also admitted its pioneer National Diploma Students through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Currently the Polytechnic has a total of 12 academic Departments, which are
- Survey and Geo-informatics
- Estate Management General Studies,
- Mathematics and Statistics,
- Computer Science,
- civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical/Electronics Engineering
- Accountancy and Finance
- Busines Administration and Management Studies,
- Office Technology & Management and
- Science Laboratory Technology.
PHILOSOPHY AND CARDINAL PRINCIPLES OF THE POLYTECHNIC
- (a) To provide full time or part time courses of and training;
- (i) In technology applied Science commerce and management and
- (ii) In such other fields of applied learning relevant to the needs of the development of Nigeria in the areas of industrial an agricultural Production and distribution and for research in the development and adoption of techniques as the Council may from time to time determine.
- (i) In technology applied Science commerce and management and
- (b)To arrange for Conferences and Study groups relative to the fields of learning specified in Paragraph “a” of this Subsection; and
- (c) To perform such other functions as in the opinion of the council may see to promote the objectives of the Polytechnic.
ORGANISATON OF THE POLYTECHNIC ADMINISTRATION
(i) THE RECTOR
is the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the He has Power to exercise general authority over the staff and the students of the Polytechnic an S responsible for the discipline of both Students and member staff of the polytechnic.(ii) TH DEPUTY RECTOR
is responsible in the day today running of the institution He oversees the academic Planning of the institution and deputizes whenever the rector is away.(iii) THE REGISRAR
is the Chief Administrative Officer of the Institution and is responsible to the Rector for the general Administration of the Polytechnic.(iv) THE BURSAR
Is the Chief Financial officer of the Polytechnic and is responsible to the Rector for all the financial operations of the institution and for the administration of the finances of the Polytechnic.(v) THE POLYTECHNIC LIBRARIAN
is responsible to the Rector for the administration of the Polytechnic Library. He is responsible for the coordination of library services in the departments and the research units of the polytechnic.(vi) THE DIRECTOR OF WORKS AND MAINTENANCE
is responsible to the Rector for the general overseeing and maintenance of all buildings, roads, vehicles, water and power supplies etc. and for all the polytechnic capital works.(vii) DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC PLANNING
is responsible to the Rector for some specified academic administration of the institution.(viii) DIRECTOR STUDENT AFFAIRS
is responsible to the Rector for the day-to-day running of Student Affairs.(ix) DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS
are responsible to the. Rector for the day-to-day running of the academic school.(x) HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS
are responsible to the Rector for the day-to-day running of the academic Departments.(xi) THE HEAD OF MEDICAL SERVCES
is responsible to the Rector for the health services provision of the entire polytechnic.STUDENT’S MAIN SERVICE UNITS AND DIVISION
(i) INDUSTRIAL PLACEMENT AND LIAISON UNIT
The Student’s Industrial Placement and Liaison Unit is primarily responsible for organizing the students’ industrial work experience scheme (SIWES) which is a regular and an integral part of academic work for all students pursuing the National Diploma course in Engineering Technology, Environmental, management and other Science-related courses. SIWES is designed to take place outside the institution thereby integrating the students into productive work while pursuing their various academic Programmes.
(ii) STUDENTS’ AFFAIRS DIVISION
The Student Affairs Division is responsible to the Registrar for coordinating policies relating to student non-academic affairs and welfare in the polytechnic, including regulations governing students’ conduct, the students union, and other students’ activities such as games, students’ associations and provision of hostel accommodation.
(iii) ACADEMICAFFAIRS DIVISION
The Academic Affairs Division which is under the supervision of the Registrar is primarily responsible for Processing of students’ admissions, coordination of examinations and keeping of students’ academic records. It is also charged with the responsibility of issuing academic transcripts of students’ records as may be requested by authorized bodies.
(iv) STUDENTSACCOUNTUNIT
The Students Account Unit is responsible to the Bursar for collection of registration fees. It also assist in the disbursement of scholarships as well as handles other financial matters affecting students on behalf of their sponsors.
MEMBERSHIP AND FUNCTIONS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ACADEMIC BOARD.
Membership
The Academic Board consists of:
| (a) | The Rector | Chairman |
|---|---|---|
| (b) | The Deputy Rector | Member |
| (c) | The Polytechnic Librarian | Member |
| (d) | All Directors of Schools | Members |
| (e) | Director of Student Affairs | Member |
| (f) | Director Consultancy Services Unit | Member |
| (g) | Director Academic Planning | Members |
| (h) | All Heads of Academic Departments | Members |
| (i) | Not more than two members of academic Staff, other than Heads of Department, who may be appointed by the Academic Board | |
| (j) | The Registrar | Secretary |
FUNCTIONS
The Academic Board is responsible for:
- The Direction and Management of Academic matters of the Polytechnic including the regulation of admission of students, the award of certificates and diplomas, scholarships, prizes and other academic distinctions.
- The making to the council, periodic reports on such academic matters as the Academic Board may deem fit or as the Council may from time to time direct, and
- The discharge of any other functions which the council may delegate to it.
