The National Board for Technical Education has unveiled an online top-up programme for Higher National Diploma holders to convert their certification to Bachelor’s Degree through online top-up for one year, with foreign accredited universities.
The board disclosed this in a statement made available to
newsmen in Abuja on Monday by its Head of Media Unit, Mrs Fatima Abubakar.
Abubakar said this was also to facilitate the progression of
HND holders to higher degrees.
“Attempts in the past to get the National Universities
Commission to approve a two-year Master of Technology for HND holders in some
polytechnics did not see the light of the day.
“Many times, HND Holders are forced to go for a one-year
Postgraduate Diploma before they could be admitted into the Master’s Program in
Universities.
”The disadvantage of the PGD is that holders who continue to
do PhD and wish to migrate to a Nigerian University will always be queried to
produce their first degree, even when they have doctorates.
”To end this unwarranted prejudice, NBTE has now created
this progression pathway for HND holders. This can be accessed at
https://topup.nbte.gov.ng,” she said.
Abubakar added that another challenge facing many
polytechnic HND graduates was mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps.
According to her, many are admitted into non-accredited
programmes and after the HND, they are not mobilised for the NYSC.
”NBTE has now created a HND admission portal for use by all
polytechnics. Only accredited programmes shall be visible on the portal and
NYSC shall have viewing rights to know admitted candidates to be mobilised.
”This will hopefully bring an end to illegal HND admissions
of unaccredited programmes and at the same time ensure carrying capacities are
adhered to for quality assurance.
”Finally, the board wishes to appeal to Mr President to
please sign the bill removing the HND-BSc Dichotomy in the public service as
passed by the last National Assembly.
”This is to end the unjust and undeserved discrimination
against graduates of the polytechnic system,” she said.
She further said that the absence of legal backing
necessitated the board to find ways of enhancing the standing of HND holders.
Abubakar said that this must be done because the HND holders
in reality hold the key to Nigeria’s industrialisation and key skills for
delivery of needed infrastructure in the country. NAN