National Board for Technical Education has unveiled an online top-up program allowing Higher National Diploma holders to upgrade their qualification to a Bachelor’s Degree.
Gatekeepers News reports that the board’s Head of Media Unit, Mrs. Fatima Abubakar disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday.
This can be achieved within a year through collaboration with internationally accredited universities.
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 also mentioned that another issue confronting numerous polytechnic HND graduates pertained to their enrollment in the National Youth Service Corps. She explained that a significant number of students are enrolled in programs lacking accreditation, and consequently, after completing their HND, they are not eligible for NYSC mobilization.
”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 emphasized that without proper legal support, the board needed to explore methods of improving the status of HND holders.
Abubakar asserted that this action was essential, as HND holders truly possess the crucial elements for Nigeria’s industrialization and the necessary skills to facilitate infrastructure development in the nation.
NAN
