The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has announced the commencement of one-year conversion programmes for Higher National Diploma (HND) holders to acquire Bachelor’s Degree certificates.
According to NBTE, the conversion programmes are “online Top-Ups” with foreign accredited universities.
Fatima Abubakar, NBTE’s head of media, said attempts in the past to get the National Universities Commission (NUC) to approve a two-year master of technology (MTech) for HND holders in some polytechnics failed to pass through.
The statement read: “Many times HND Holders are forced to go for a one-year Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) before they could be admitted into the Master’s Programme 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.”
The Board also highlighted mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as a challenge facing HND holders.
“NBTE has now created an 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.
The statement also added, “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”.
NBTE also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to remove HND-BSc Dichotomy in the public service by signing the bill as passed by the 9th National Assembly, to end the discrimination against graduates of the polytechnic system.
