ABOUT 5000 graduates of Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu, who were awarded various certificates of National and Higher National Diplomas for 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 academic session have been challenged to strive and become the conscience of the nation and restore its the moral fibre.

The Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council , Professor Simeon Olumide Ajose, who made the assertion at convocation ceremony held at the Ikorodu main campus recently, also told the graduating students that as tomorrow’s leaders, character education should be a priority in all their endeavours if moral leadership is to be achieved.

He implored them to prove to the world that indeed, they were deserving of the diplomas awarded to them, by going out and “stemming down the level of hopelessness “which is prevalent among young graduates, who seek endlessly for white collar jobs that have proved to be elusive.” he affirmed; “With your training in the polytechnic, you should be able to carve a niche for yourselves in the Nigerian society and the world at large.”

He continued: “At the stage of the country’s history, there is need for you to be good representatives of your alma mater in providing moral leadership. On our part, we have no doubt that your training in this institution is such that would guide you to provide quality service delivery, as you go out to make your mark in the development of this country especially in the area of technological advancement, also endeavour to be worthy in character,.”

While commending the Lagos State Government for its continuous support for the polytechnic, especially the recent approval of the implementation of new CONTEDISS salary structure in the tertiary institutions, he stressed that the state government had demonstrated its awareness that development of technological education was a tool for individual and national development.

He, however, appealed to state government to further assist in the completion of some capital projects in the campus, such as the construction of the School of Technology complex, sports complex and the administrative building.

Re-echoing the importance and necessity that the administrative complex be constructed with most urgency, the Rector of the institution, Mr. Ayodeji Babatunde Iginla in his address stated: “till date the location of the offices of the administrative staff of the polytechnic had been temporary since year 2000 when we moved to Ikorodu campus, and these offices are located in the library complex.

“The implication of this is that these offices are using up reading space meant for staff and students in the library which is not a healthy development for a tertiary institution. Your Excellency, the polytechnic needs an administrative complex and only the state government can finance it for us.”

AT last, examination malpractice that seemed an intractable problem afflicting the conduct of public examinations over the years can now be effectively checked. Thanks to the introduction of Biometric Capturing System (BCS) being used by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for the 2011 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), a combination of Universities Matriculation Examination (UME) and Monotechnics, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Matriculation Examination (MPCEME).

The exponent of this innovation is Professor Dibu Ojerinde, Nigeria’s first professor of Tests and Measurement, first Director of Monitoring and Evaluation of the National Primary Education Commission (NPEC), first Registrar of the National Board of Educational Measurement (NBEM), first Registrar of Nigeria’s indigenous examination body, National Examination Council (NECO) and currently the Registrar/Chief Executive, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Under his leadership, JAMB has devised means to checkmate impersonation, absenteeism, lateness and examination malpractice among candidates through Biometrics fingerprints capturing. Professor Ojerinde spoke with Vanguard Education Editor, Emmanuel Edukugho in this interview.

What is this Biometric registration all about as some candidates are complaining already?

Students will complain about something that is new. They should go to people who have expertise on the equipment – just about thumb printing. Just thumb print and data captured. We are using Biometric Capturing System for registration of candidates for the 2011 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

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http://www.alutacampus.com/forum/11-exam-time/337-thumbs-up-for-biometrics-a-way-of-curbing-exam-malpractice--ojerinde