The National Polytechnic of Bamenda, NPB, has graduated its fifth batch of students with the Higher National Diploma, HND, and first batch of students with a Bachelor Degree in Technology.

The end of course certificates and diplomas were handed over to the graduands by Vice Chancellors of affiliated universities and the school officials on March 28 at the institution's 1000 capacity Amphitheatre.

Addressing the academic family during the fifth convocation of the institution, the representative of the Governing Council of the Yong Educational Establishments, YEE, Michael Yuh, appreciated the efforts of all the mentoring universities of Buea, Dschang and Bamenda, describing such a collective effort as a timely gesture to give Cameroonians a sound education.

“I call on all of you laureates of NPB to take your HND and degrees as a stepping stone in the pursuit of your academic endeavours, especially in an era of competitiveness.”

In his convocation address, the Rector of the institution, Dr Asongwe Taboh, saluted the fruitful partnership with the aforementioned universities, which, he said, has led to the effective realisation of projects envisaged by the founding fathers of the institution such as; the inauguration of a food technology and hospitality laboratory, libraries, the putting in place of a Museum, modern administrative block and the eminent medical school.

“Considering these achievements and those in the pipeline, NPB needs the unflinching support of our mentoring universities now more than ever,” the Rector intimated.

He enjoined the laureates to regard their graduation from NPB as a humble beginning in their academic journey, enter the job market with open minds and to be humble in learning new things.

On their part, the VCs from the universities of Buea and Bamenda , Professors Nalova Lyonga and Edward Tafah Edukad, respectively, and the representative of the Rector of the University of Dschang, all congratulated the students and staff of NPB for their brilliant performances and exhorted the laureates to take the next step, define their goals in life, shun individualism, make judicious use of their certificates and diplomas and to contribute their own quota to nation building, just like the founder of the institution, late Francis Yong.

In his academic discuss, the Mayor of Kumbo Council, Donatus Njong, said if the decentralisation process in Cameroon is effectively implemented in Councils, then, young graduates would be assets to the Councils and their communities.

On behalf of the graduating students, Francis Mbah Foh, 2015 best-graduating student of the institution, praised the authorities of NPB for giving them the opportunity to study in the institution.

Meanwhile, Clotilda Mankah Ngwa graduating as a journalist and Victory Diangha as a Banker, said they were intellectually armed for the job market.