In an effort to assist Higher National Diploma (HND) holders convert their certification to higher degrees, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has unveiled a one-year online programme in partnership with foreign accredited universities. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by NBTE, Head of Media Unit, Mrs Fatima Abubakar.
She said, “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 (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 PhD and wish to migrate to a Nigerian university will always be queried to produce their first degrees, 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 also disclosed that mobilization for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was another challenge being faced by many polytechnic HND graduates.
According to her, “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 mobilized.
“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.”
She also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign the bill removing the HND-BSc disparity within the public service in order to “end the unjust and undeserved discrimination against graduates of the polytechnic system."