Katsina (Sundiata Post) – The students and ex-students of the Katsina Institute of Technology and Management (KSITM) have complimented Gov. Dikko Radda for transforming the institution to a fully-fledged university.
The students asked that the university be renamed Malam Dikko Ummaru Radda University of Technology at their triumphant march in Katsina on Monday.
The institute will soon become a fully accredited Information Communication Technology (ICT) university, according to a recent announcement by the state government.
Mr. Mustapha Kafin-Soli, the president of the Students Union Government, stated in a speech that the students were very happy about the development.
According to Kafin-Soli, the conversion of the institution was a great development for the state, especially for students, who have completed or are about to complete their diploma programmes.
“This development will give us the opportunity to go beyond diploma in our chosen professions to degree holders from our own state university.
“Therefore, when the university kicks off, we are hoping and praying that we can be considered for admission through direct entry and not for us to start from 100 level,” Kafin-Soli said.
According to his opinion, several graduates of the school were having trouble getting direct entry admission into other universities.
“That’s why the current and ex-students see the need to organise this kind of rally to express their excitement for the conversion of the institution to a university.
“At the same time, we want the State Government to rename the new university after Malam Dikko Ummaru Radda,” Kafin-Soli said.
Najib El-Ladan, a diploma graduate from the school, also expressed his happiness over the growth and his desire of realising his dream.
“As someone who studied Banking Operations at the Diploma level from this institution, I don’t think there’s any nearby higher institution I can go for the same course at the higher level.
“But with the conversation of this institution to a university, I have hope to come back for my choice at the degree level,” El-Ladan said.
Prof. Abdulhamid Ahmed-Mani, the Commissioner for Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, recently stated that although the institute awarded diplomas, the governor aimed to elevate it to the status of one of the world’s top ICT universities.
Ahmed-Mani further pointed out that the decision was taken out of the governor’s blueprint to establish an ICT hub in Katsina.