While still basking on the euphoria of mobilizing her first set of graduates for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Heritage Polytechnic, Ikot Udota, Eket has not relented in her efforts at ensuring her undergraduate have access to the best facilities that enhance learning and boost productivity. This is testified to by a number of other achievements recorded by the fastest growing private polytechnic in Nigeria. Paramount among such are the recent procurement of a radio broadcast license from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) ; the accreditation of two more departments (Mass Communication and Business Administration) at both National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) levels by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) ; and the putting of finishing touches to the multi-million naira e-library project. In a letter dated July 21, 2014 signed by the Acting Secretary to the NBC, Alheri Saidu, the Commission directed Heritage Polytechnic to operate its radio station on the frequency of 104.9 MHz, adding that the approval was granted pursuant to the provision of section 2(1) b, 9 and 20 of the National Broadcasting Commission Act, Cap NII, Laws of the Federation of the Nigeria, 2014. Speaking on this monumental achievement, the Rector of Heritage Polytechnic, Elder Udoyiu Udoyiu said that the rationale behind the procurement of the license is not unconnected to the undying desire of the management of the institution at ensuring that her graduates can always stand tall among their equals anywhere in the world.“The fact is that at Heritage Polytechnic, we always want the best for our students and it is that zeal that propels us to do everything humanly and legally possible to see to it that our products can compete favorably with their counterparts from any institution in the world”, the Rector said.Elder Udoyiu added that apart from educating, entertaining and informing its audience, Heritage Radio, 104.9 FM, will complement classroom lectures at grooming students in the Department of Mass Communication as prolific broadcasters in the nearest future. He admonished prospective students to enroll in the Department of Mass Communication to take full advantage of the facility which is billed to commence broadcast September 2014.The Rector further stressed that the Ultra-modern library complex of the institution would soon be completed for use by students of the polytechnic and researchers. Adding that the 21st Century library that has at least two hundred siting capacity for online researchers and not less than one thousand five hundred siting capacity for hard copy books readers. The library complex, according to the Rector will be ready for use in October, 2014. The Rector equally announced the appointment of the management of the radio studio with Obong Edimoh Edoho as the Director while Pastor Godwin Williams is to serve as the general manager. He charged the management team to work assiduously to ensure the success of the station. Responding, the director of the radio service, Obong Edimoh Edoho on behalf of other members, thanked the Governing Council for the appointment and pledged to sustain the confidence repose on them. He therefore called on students to make effective use of the available facilities, saying that they would be of immense help to them and also prepare them for their future. However, it could be recalled that the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has granted full accreditation for ND and HND programmes to Mass Communication (print and broadcast options) of the institution early this year.Meanwhile, all is set for the commencement of HND programmes in Theology/Mass communication. This course, according to the Rector is billed to commence in 2014/2015 academic session, is designed to train church pastors/ministers of the gospel in the effective application of communication tools in Theology. The Rector therefore called on ministers to avail themselves of this long-awaited opportunity.
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