FedPoly Bali Holds General Orientation for New Students
By Our Correspondent
The Senator Abubakar Tutari Auditorium of the Federal Polytechnic Bali in Taraba State came alive on Wednesday as the institution hosted a general orientation programme for the newly admitted ND1 and HND1 students of the 2024/2025 academic session.
The event marked the students’ formal welcome into the Polytechnic community.
In his opening address, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Bali, Dr. Mohammed Usman, welcomed the new students into the institution.
The Rector who spoke on behalf of the Governing Council, Academic Board, and Management Committee, congratulated them on their successful admission and expressed his best wishes for their academic journey.
Dr Mohammed Usman
Dr. Usman reassured the students that the Polytechnic is fully equipped to blend theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experience, encouraging them to take full advantage of the opportunities available.
He further reminded the students that the Polytechnic is not only a centre of learning but also a citadel of discipline.
He therefore advised the students to familiarize themselves with the academic policies and the students’ handbook to avoid misconduct, stressing that the institution has robust support systems to assist students in navigating any challenge they may encounter.
He urged the students to pay close attention to the presentations that would be made during the orientation, which were carefully designed to guide them in their new academic environment.
In his presentation, CSN Ibrahim Ali, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) boss, sensitized the students on the dangers of drug abuse. He passionately warned them against the use of illegal and harmful substances, stressing that drug abuse not only jeopardizes academic pursuits but also ruins lives.
The Road Safety Corps, represented by SRC Bali, Mr Wunubo enlightened them on the role of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the importance of road safety.
He urged the students to value their lives by adhering to safety rules and regulations both within and outside the campus.
Speaking on academic conduct, the Acting Registrar of the Polytechnic, Alhaji Umar Baba, sensitized the students on the importance of adhering strictly to the institution’s rules and regulations.
He enumerated various acts of misconduct and the punishments associated with them, emphasizing that certain offences could lead to severe consequences, including expulsion.
Alhaji Umar Ibrahim Baba
Further deepening the students’ understanding of academic discipline, Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Bagudu, focused specifically on examination ethics, highlighting the dos and don’ts of examinations within the institution, as clearly outlined in the academic policy and the students’ handbook.
Dr. Bagudu emphasized the critical need to avoid examination malpractice and other related vices, encouraging the students to uphold honesty and integrity in all their academic engagements.
He equally warned that any breach of examination rules could attract severe disciplinary measures.
Dr. Abubakar Clarkson Mohammed of SERVICOM, educated the students on the role of SERVICOM in promoting service excellence within the Polytechnic.
He encouraged the students to utilize the SERVICOM committee whenever they feel dissatisfied with the quality of services received from various service outlets in the Polytechnic, including lecturers who fail to perform their duties.
According to him, SERVICOM exists to ensure that students receive the services they deserve as a key part of their academic experience.
Mr. Usman Baba, the Head of the Library and Information Science Department, who is also the Chief Security Officer of the Polytechnic, made a dual presentation.
He sensitized the students on the proper use of the library, highlighting the various services and resources available to support their academic pursuits, encouraging them to make good use of the library as an essential tool for research and learning.
On Security, Mr. Baba stressed the need for the students to be highly security conscious, emphasizing that security is a collective responsibility and urged the students to promptly report any suspicious activity, emphasizing the maxim: “If you see something, say something.”
In another presentation, Engr. Mahmud Useni spoke on the facilities available to the students within the Polytechnic, such as water supply and solar lighting systems.
He emphasized the importance of proper use and maintenance of these facilities, encouraging the students to promptly report any malfunction and treat the facilities as communal property that must be protected for the benefit of all.
Mr. Ahmed Isah, representing the Chief Nursing Officer of the institution, Mr. Babangida Ibrahim, sensitized the students on the social health insurance scheme popularly known as TISHIP.
He explained that the scheme provides free healthcare services to students and encouraged them to take full advantage of it whenever necessary.
He equally outlined some of the services rendered under TISHIP, stressing its importance in ensuring the students’ health and wellbeing throughout their stay in the Polytechnic.
Recognizing the need for a healthy balance between academics and extra curricular activities, the Polytechnic’s Coach, Mr. Hassan Bila, sensitized the students on the various sporting activities available within the school, encouraging the students to actively participate in sports, not only to promote physical fitness but also to foster teamwork, discipline, and mental well-being.
Mr. Francis Joseph Ibiyemi, on behalf of the Director of the Career and Guidance Unit, Mal. Mukhtar Sunusi, also delivered a lecture on career development and emphasized the unit’s readiness to train and retrain students on various career-related services.
He encouraged the students to make good use of the unit to guide their career paths throughout their stay in the institution.
Highlights of the event included interactive question-and-answer sessions, allowing students to seek clarifications on various issues.
