The Rector of the Benue State Polytechnic Ugbokolo, Dr. O. B. Ella has warned the entire lecturers and students of the institution against truancy in the course of their duty and studies.

Dr. Ella gave this warning during his opening address on the occasion of the 13th matriculation ceremony of new students of the Division of Continuing Education Programme 2007/2008 academic session last week at the polytechnic Pre-ND hall.

The rector also warned that the institution would not condone any form of examination malpractice saying, “you must work hard to avoid getting involved in any form of malpractice as offenders will be appropriating sanctioned”.

Continuing, the Rector said, “You are aware that the certificates you will obtain at the end of your programmes are the same with those of the regular students, and so you should remember that all academic regulations binding on the regular students are also applicable to you”.

The rector of the institution in an exclusive interview with Nigerian Newsday disclosed that the institution was making serious efforts to meet the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) requirements for accreditation of the HND programmes in both Accounting and Business studies.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Registrar of the Polytechnic, Mr. F. Ochigbo described the matriculation as an annual event in an academic institution which marks the end of registration of newly admitted students, making them bona-fide in the institution.

“With this ceremony today, the matriculating students are adjudged to have fully completed their registration and become bona-fide part-time students of the Division of Continuing Education programme in the Polytechnic”, he said.

The registrar pointed out that students must score 75 percent attendance at lectures before qualifying to sit for Semester Examinations “as stated in the Examination regulations in the Students Information Hand-book.”

Speaking to Nigerian Newsday, the registrar reiterated the need for academic staff and students of the polytechnic to interact freely in order to build closer and mutual academic relationships and harmony that will take the institution higher.