The Rector Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Professor Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri, has called for Polytechnics in Nigeria to award Bachelor of Technology degrees to replace the current Higher National Diploma.
Professor Ufuophu-Biri, who made the call recently during a colloquium organised by the Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, noted that the HND holder spends two years at the National Diploma, does one-year industrial attachment, and returns to do the HND for two years, thus totalling five years as against four years of studying a similar course at the university level.
He argued that the ordinary-level entry requirements for ND, HND, and first degree are the same, just as the degree curricula and those of the polytechnic are similar. He added that the polytechnics retain their names as polytechnics, however, the National Diploma should be the basic requirement admission into the polytechnic degree programmes.
He pointed out that polytechnic degree awards will promote polytechnic and technology education in Nigeria, as more people will be motivated to study in polytechnics, which are places for technology and innovation initiatives and development.
The Mass Communication and Journalism professor noted that the dichotomisation of the HND and first degree, which overtly and covertly tends to inferiorize the HND, is a silent killer of polytechnic education in Nigeria and, by wider implication, the stunting of technological growth and development.
He noted that many polytechnics outside Nigeria award degrees, even as far as doctorate degrees. While commending the high standard of polytechnic education in the country, which contributes to graduates of Nigeria Polytechnic being admitted to study for higher degrees outside Nigeria, “the nomenclature of HND is sometimes subject to interpretation or verification outside Nigeria, unlike the word “degree” that has universal knowledgeability, recognition and acceptability”.
According to Don, changing the nomenclature to B. Tech will reinforce the urge for technology and innovation education in Nigeria, which will soon move Nigeria into the realm of China and India in technology education and advancement.
Ufuophu-Biri noted that changing the nomenclature from HND to B.Tech does not add any financial burden on the polytechnic; instead, it will motivate the students to study harder and increase staff motivation and productivity.
Speaking earlier at the Akwa-Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, during the conference of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Professor Ufuophu-Biri also advocated for changing the terminal rank of the polytechnic lecturer from chief lecturer to Associate Professor. He pointed out that such an innovation would boost the lecturers’ morale, increase job performance, and result in optimum job productivity.
