In a groundbreaking move aimed at empowering Higher National Diploma (HND) holders, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has introduced an innovative online top-up program.
This initiative allows HND holders to elevate their qualifications to Bachelor’s Degrees by participating in a one-year online top-up program, facilitated in collaboration with foreign accredited universities.
In a statement released on Monday, Mrs. Fatima Abubakar, the Head of the Media Unit at NBTE, unveiled the program’s details. The online top-up initiative is designed to not only offer HND holders the opportunity to upgrade their credentials but also to streamline their academic progression toward 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 Ph.D. 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 issue faced by many polytechnic HND graduates is their inclusion in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program. Instances of graduates being admitted into non-accredited programs, leading to their exclusion from NYSC mobilization, have been prevalent.
To rectify this, NBTE has launched an HND admission portal available for use by all polytechnics. This portal exclusively displays accredited programs, granting the NYSC the ability to identify candidates eligible for mobilization.
”NBTE has now created an HND admission portal for use by all polytechnics. Only accredited programs 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 programs 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 industrialization and key skills for the delivery of needed infrastructure in the country.
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