Ronik Polytechnic deepens innovation, industry partnership for academic impact

…holds 20th matriculation ceremony

Determined to keep pace with the rapidly changing demands of the global workforce, Ronik Polytechnic, Ejigbo-Lagos, is deepening its culture of innovation while forging stronger partnerships with industry to ensure its academic programmes remain relevant and impactful.

This was made known by Abiodun Olafenwa, the acting rector at Ronik Polytechnic, during the institution’s 20th matriculation ceremony at the Ejigbo campus on Thursday, when he said the institution will continue to pursue academic innovation, industry integration, and international collaboration to become a reference point for private technical education in Nigeria.

Olafenwa emphasised that the polytechnic is ready to equip students not only with theoretical knowledge but also with practical skills that will prepare them to become the job creators of tomorrow.

“Embrace entrepreneurship as a means to uplift communities and contribute to economic development.

“We encourage you to combine your academic pursuits with creativity to drive innovation in the fields you choose,” he urged the matriculating students.

He noted that over the past few years, the institution has undergone a strategic transformation aimed at strengthening governance, enhancing academic relevance, and positioning the polytechnic as a hub for innovation and technical excellence.

“We aspire to build a polytechnic that is not only a centre of teaching but also a centre of innovation, industry collaboration, research commercialisation, and technological consulting.

“Globally, higher education institutions are no longer defined solely by classroom teaching. They are increasingly becoming innovation ecosystems where knowledge meets industry, where research drives economic solutions, and where graduates are equipped not only to seek jobs but to create them,” he said.

Chris Alabi, the visitor of the polytechnic, represented by Adeola Olubanjo, vice chairman of the governing council at Ronik Polytechnic, in his address, told the students that matriculation goes beyond wearing gowns and taking pictures.

“Matriculation is more than wearing gowns and taking pictures; it’s a responsibility for you. You are taking responsibility from today to be a student of Ronik Polytechnic and that you are going to uphold the values and qualities of the polytechnic,” he said.

Alabi counsels the students to put in their best to become one of the best people for this nation and for their parents by the time they graduate.

“You have to value your time, go beyond the classroom, have integrity and avoid distractions for you to achieve academic excellence,” he said.

Olubanjo, in his exhortation, enjoined the matriculating students to embrace wisdom in all they do.

“Wisdom is crucial for success in life endeavours; it’s a great level of understanding, a spirit that is patient and calm. As you begin your journey in this school, I want you to have some principles.

“You must pursue excellence, with that; there is no level you cannot reach. You must build good character and shun evil people,” he said.

The vice chairman of Ronik Polytechnic governing council further revealed that the institution is gearing to ensure there is harmony between what the institution is teaching and what is happening in the current technological advancements ecosystem.

“We believe in technology, in fact, that’s why we went out to bring our deputy rector, who has a PhD in Technology, and he has been enhancing our effort to specialise in the area of technology.

“We are equipping our laboratories, putting in more equipment, and making our students to follow all the things that are going on around the tech world; so our school is really rooted in technology,” he said.

Moreover, he emphasised that in Ronik Polytechnic, entrepreneurship is not just a mere part of the course, but a whole department, stressing that most of the institution’s courses and research are those that will make entrepreneurship very relevant.

“We have fashion design. People are going around now; they don’t want to go out and buy overseas brands. They want to buy Nigerian brands. So we have the facility to make people do that,” he said.