From Lateef Taiwo
The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has launched portals for HND Holders who wish to acquire Bachelor’s Degree through online Top-Up for one year, with foreign accredited universities.
A statement signed by NBTE’s Head, Media Unit, Mrs.Fatima Abubakar on Monday, stated that the portals which was launched on Monday was to facilitate the progression of HND holders to higher degrees.
“Attempts in the past to get the National Universities Commission (NUC) 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 (PGD) 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,” the statement said.
It added that to end the unwarranted prejudice, NBTE has now created this progression pathway for HND holders which can be accessed at https://topup.nbte.gov.ng.
“Another challenge facing many Polytechnic HND graduates is mobilization for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Many are admitted into non-accredited programs and after the HND, they are not mobilized for the NYSC,” it said.
The statement added that the NBTE has also created a HND admission portal for use by all Polytechnics adding that only accredited Programs shall be visible on the portal and NYSC shall have viewing rights to know admitted candidates to be mobilized.
“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, to end the unjust and undeserved discrimination against graduates of the Polytechnic system.
“It is the absence of this legal backing that makes NBTE find ways of enhancing the standing of our HND holders, who in reality hold the key to Nigeria’s industrialization and the delivery of key infrastructural interventions needing skills,” the statement added.
