The National Universities Commission (NUC) has rejected a programme being organised by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) on converting Higher National Diploma (HND) to university’s degree.
A statement issued by the Acting Executive Secretary of the NUC, Chris Maiyaki, on Saturday, described the purported one-year top-up degree programme in Nigerian polytechnics as a ruse.
According to Maiyaki, “The existing dichotomy between first degree and HND had not been abolished even as universities and polytechnics had their individual unique programmes, which would pose a challenge to such conversion scheme.”
He advised the public and all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to note that the NUC is not a party to and, indeed, disavows the so-called Top-up Scheme, being concocted by the NBTE.
The statement said that the attention of the National Universities Commission (NUC) has been drawn to the news (online) that the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has officially introduced a one-year top-up degree programme in Nigerian polytechnics to enable holders of the Higher National Diploma (HND) to convert their certificates to the first degree with foreign accredited universities.
The online news, according to the statement, was credited to the Executive Secretary of the NBTE, Prof Idris Bugaje and the Board’s Head of Media Unit, Mrs. Fatima Abubakar, revealed that the action was in furtherance of the advocacy for the removal of the existing dichotomy between degree holders and HND graduates in their various places of work, and to enhance the beneficiaries’ opportunities for further studies.
Maiyaki said the place of technical education, the world over was unique, saying that in most higher education systems, polytechnics co-exist side by side with universities for the purposes of producing critical human resources, based on their peculiarities and in tandem with the goals for which they were established.
It stated that the university degree awarded by the Nigerian University System or any cognate institution is not the same as the HND awarded by Polytechnics in Nigeria.
He said that at the post-graduate level, the requirements for admission into any master’s degree programme in Nigerian universities for candidates with HND are, among others, the acquisition of a postgraduate diploma (PGD) from a recognised university in an area relevant to that for which the master’s admission is being sought.
To this end, the statement said that it is implicit that beneficiaries of the NBTE’s Top-Up Programme shall be subjected to extant admission requirements by Nigerian universities should they desire to further their studies in the NUS.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everydayAdvertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
This is absolutely wickedness to the poor people who are the victims on dichotomy and discrimination between HND and Degree. Just look at what’s happening in Nigeria due to this kind of harshness you put on poor people on this dichotomy and discrimination between this 2 degrees so do you think this robbery, kidnapping, banditry and many crisis just happening in and outside the country is not because of this your wickedness and hardship putting to poor people?
ReplyDeleteMany people had been blamed by not going to school and even when they went to school and graduates their is no job for them to do. Even the company job that most you’re saying that’s why polytechnics were build purposely are referring to be employing Degree Holders than HND Holders just because of your wickedness so called selfish of interest and many of you had been the victims before so why can’t you atleast be in poor people children’s shoes to understand how hard it is for many poor parents to feed their families and pays school fees to their children. But because you guys can afford it, that’s why you keeps pushing it this way with the help of politicians that are pretending to be billing about it.
Thanks so much my brother. These so called leaders are the problem of Nigeria. What will it cost the president Tinubu to sign it into the law. 9th assembly has concluded the bill.
DeleteThis isn't something that should be debatable both institutions have different curriculum so I don't understand why the conversion if you're not satisfied you can go for your MSc with your degree.
ReplyDeleteThat's the good idea. Unless the person wants to teach in the university. Apart from that . Go for 1year PGD. And besides PGD is higher than BSC.
DeleteSays who ur PGD don't have any value in terms of work in the civil service
DeleteIt's even tougher to acquire HND.
ReplyDeleteLeave them, they dnt know what they're saying....!
DeleteI remembered my school days as a HND 11 student in my first semester, I had a frnd in 300 level in the university that was offering same course. He was virtually a disappointment. BSC my ass.
DeleteCarry your disjointed certificates get out here.
ReplyDelete