The Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has held its maiden Registry Symposium, bringing together registry professionals and other stakeholders from the institution and other tertiary institutions to discuss ways of repositioning registry administration for greater institutional excellence.
The symposium, themed *Redefining Modern Registry: Driving Institutional Excellence Through Discipline, Ethics and Regulatory Compliance,* was held at the Rear Admiral Muhammed Lawal Auditorium, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.
In her opening remarks, the Deputy Rector (Admin), Dr. Mrs. Felicia Awolola, who represented the Rector, Engr. Dr. Abdul Jimoh Muhammed, commended the Rector for providing an enabling environment for innovative ideas and for supporting the organisation of the programme.
She also praised the Acting Registrar and the organisers of the symposium for putting together what she described as an impactful programme and for bringing prominent personalities and professionals together to share knowledge and experiences.
The Chairman of the occasion and former Acting Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, Dr. Nasir Oyebanji Oyeleke, also commended the management of the institution for creating an enabling environment where staff and students could develop and implement new ideas.
Oyeleke noted that the conducive environment provided by the institution contributed to the idea of organising the maiden Registry Symposium.
He congratulated the Acting Registrar for what he described as effective leadership of a vital arm of the institution, stressing that the Registry remains the “soul, if not the heartbeat,” of a tertiary academic institution.
He appealed to all participants to cooperate with one another and contribute meaningfully to the success of the symposium.
The event also attracted Registrars and other representatives from various tertiary institutions, providing an avenue for professionals to exchange ideas and discuss contemporary challenges facing registry administration.
The symposium was formally declared open by the representative of the Special Guest of Honour, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Kwara State.
In his remarks, the Commissioner’s representative commended the management of Kwara State Polytechnic and the body of Registrars for organising the symposium.
He said the theme appropriately captured the need to redefine modern registry administration through discipline, ethics and regulatory compliance.
According to him, the Registry is the administrative engine room of every institution, responsible for safeguarding records, enforcing policies and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He stressed that when registry personnel operate with discipline, ethics and professionalism, the entire institution stands to benefit and move forward.
He further stated that, under the leadership of the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, the Ministry remains committed to supporting reforms aimed at repositioning tertiary institutions for excellence.
He assured that the ministry would continue to support capacity building and modernisation efforts within registry departments.
He charged registry staff to embrace innovation, uphold the highest ethical standards and recognise themselves as key drivers of institutional excellence.
The guest speaker, Dr. Taiye Liasu, Assistant Director, Educational Planning, Research and Development, Kwara State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, represented by Dr. Saadat Yusuf, also commended the Rector and management of the Polytechnic for organising the symposium.
She described registry personnel as important players in translating institutional rules and decisions into practical action.
According to her, the Registry keeps records of institutional activities, ensures that procedures are followed fairly and helps to protect the trust of staff, students and other stakeholders in the institution.
She urged Registry departments to move beyond being seen merely as units responsible for routine paperwork and become strategic partners in institutional development.
She said modern registry administration should involve continuous risk management, strategic collaboration with other units, improved decisionmaking, institutional protection and sustainable improvements in quality and performance.
She stressed that repositioning the Registry in this manner would enable it to play a more significant role in achieving institutional goals and promoting excellence.
