The College of Health Technology, Zawan, Plateau State, is strengthening its infrastructure and academic facilities as it prepares to pursue accreditation for 12 programmes by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), following steps taken by the institution to address gaps identified during previous accreditation exercises.
The Acting Provost, Sant. Nonshuwan Sintiki Godfrey, disclosed this while highlighting efforts by the college management to improve academic standards, upgrade facilities and expand opportunities for students pursuing health-related programmes.
Godfrey said the management identified the absence of a Computer-Based Testing (CBT) centre as a major challenge, prompting efforts to establish an in-house facility that would enable students to take their examinations within the college.
She explained that the institution discovered it had 75 desktop computers that could be deployed for the project, leading the management to work towards establishing its own CBT centre.
“We discovered that the college had 75 desktop computers, so we decided to put them to use by establishing our own CBT centre,” she said.
According to her, the college subsequently conducted CBT examinations for Community Health students, reducing its dependence on other institutions for examination facilities.
Godfrey added that during a follow-up assessment, the accreditation team inspected the CBT centre and other improvements before granting the Community Health programme accreditation for four years.
She said the college was also prioritising improvements to its main laboratory, which serves several departments because of the institution’s health-related programmes.
The Acting Provost noted that adequate funding would enable the institution to upgrade its infrastructure, improve laboratory facilities and meet the requirements for the accreditation of additional programmes.
Godfrey expressed optimism that successful accreditation would expand the college’s academic offerings, increase enrolment and create more opportunities for students seeking professional qualifications in the health sector.
She said the institution was working towards offering about seven National Diploma (ND) programmes and five Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes, a development that could strengthen its contribution to training skilled health personnel.
The Acting Provost commended the Plateau State Government for supporting the college’s development plans, stressing that sustained investment in infrastructure and academic facilities would be essential to improving the institution’s capacity and positioning it for further growth.
