The Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Kogi State, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), to run a National Diploma in Aerospace Engineering Technology. This automatically makes the polytechnic the first institution to run such programme in Nigeria.
Speaking at the ceremony which took place at the Boniface Boroffice Conference Hall of NASRDA in Abuja, the Director-General of the agency, Prof Saidu Mohammed, said the event was historic, as NASDRA was signing MoU with a polytechnic in Nigeria for the first time.
Prof Mohammed said Kogi State Polytechnic is unique in the sense that it occupies central position in Nigeria and is also located in the same area with iron and steel company.
He said in the light of this, the engineering programmes of the polytechnic are particularly important.
The NASRDA DG stressed that space technology is not on1y about designing and building of satellite, but the fastest way to fast track development in all areas.
“Space technology is not only scientific but also political because of its impact in national economy,” he said.
In his response, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof Mathew Ajibero, thanked NASRDA for providing an enabling environment for the programmr.
Prof Ajibero, who considered himself lucky for signing the pact during his tenure, promised to leave up to expectation.
The Rector further said the institution is already engaging some consultants to design the Department of Aerospace Engineering, adding that the agency and the polytechnic teams are working on the curriculum. Ajibero subsequently sought the approval of the programme by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) so that the programme can start by next academic session.
