From, Sani Gazas Chinade Damaturu
The Steering Committee of the proposed Yobe Institute for Biomedical Engineering Technology (YIBET) has paid a working visit to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in Kaduna as part of ongoing efforts to secure the regulatory guidance, institutional partnership and technical support required for the successful establishment of the institute.
In a press statement signed by Ibrahim Baba Saleh the Media coordinator/liasian officer, office of the SSG said, the NBTE, Nigeria’s apex regulatory body for technical and vocational education and the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF), would play a significant role in the accreditation, curriculum development and institutional framework of the proposed institute.
The YIBET delegation led by the Chairman of the Steering Committee, Prof. Mohammed Bello Kawuwa, alongside the Institute’s Technical Consultant, Dr. Abdulkareem Karasuwa was received by the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Professor Idris Mohammed Bugaje, in company of the Board’s top management, comprised of directors of key departments responsible for institutional development, skills qualifications, curriculum standards and quality assurance.
Speaking during the engagement, Prof. Kawuwa said the visit was aimed at formally introducing the proposed institute to Nigeria’s foremost technical education regulator while seeking its partnership, technical guidance and institutional support towards laying a solid foundation for YIBET.
He explained that the establishment of YIBET represents one of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s strategic investments in human capital development, healthcare innovation and technological advancement, adding that the institute is envisioned to become a Centre of Excellence in Biomedical Engineering Technology that will serve not only Yobe State but Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
According to him, the institute is being conceived to bridge the existing gap in biomedical engineering education, clinical engineering services, healthcare equipment management, medical technology innovation and the production of highly skilled technical professionals capable of supporting modern healthcare systems.
He further noted that Governor Buni’s administration remains committed to providing the enabling environment, infrastructure and legislative backing necessary for the successful establishment of the institute, while appealing to NBTE to provide the required regulatory support, technical expertise and institutional guidance to ensure YIBET commences operations in line with national and international best practices.
On his part, the NBTE Executive Secretary, Professor Idris Bugaje, commended Governor Mai Mala Buni for what he described as his visionary leadership and sustained investment in strengthening healthcare infrastructure, education and human capital development.
He described the decision to establish the Yobe Institute for Biomedical Engineering Technology as a bold and forward-looking initiative that aligns with the Federal Government’s drive to expand technical education, strengthen healthcare systems and produce industry-ready professionals equipped with relevant 21st-century skills.
Prof. Bugaje assured the delegation of NBTE’s full commitment to partnering with Yobe State in advancing Biomedical and Clinical Engineering Technology, noting that the proposed institute has the potential to become a national reference point for specialised technical education and healthcare technology training.
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