HND top up to degree: NBTE aims for academic progression in polytechnics -By Auwal Ahmed Ibrahim

The conversion of HND to a degree program can indeed be beneficial for lecturers in Polytechnics. This program allows HND holders who aspire to pursue an academic career to upgrade their qualifications and obtain a Bachelor’s degree. By acquiring a higher academic degree, lecturers can enhance their teaching capabilities, broaden their knowledge base, and potentially qualify for higher positions and salary scales within the Polytechnic system.

The conversion of HND to a degree program has the potential to address the existing dichotomy between technologists and lecturers in Polytechnics. This shift can help bridge the gap between the two categories by providing an avenue for HND holders to upgrade their qualifications and attain a Bachelor’s degree.

By enabling HND holders to obtain a degree, this conversion program allows for more parity in terms of academic qualifications between technologists and lecturers. It can potentially enhance the professional standing and recognition of technologists, as they would have a degree equivalent to that of lecturers.

Also, the conversion of HND to degree could lead to career progression opportunities for technologists, allowing them to explore teaching positions or other higher-level roles within the Polytechnics. This would contribute to a more cohesive and integrated workforce within the educational institutions.

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) plays a crucial role in enhancing the standards of polytechnics, including the conversion of HND to a degree. The efforts of the NBTE are aimed at providing a robust and improved avenue for HND holders to upgrade their qualifications in many ways.

Since the time Professor Idris M. Bugaje assumed the helms of the Board, he has brought many development and initiatives driving towards the successes of polytechnics and their staff.

By working towards improving the standard of polytechnics, the NBTE is ensuring that the education and training provided align with industry requirements and global standards. This, in turn, enhances the overall quality of education and the competency of graduates.

With the new initiative coming from the NBTE on HND conversion people of Nigeria and staff of polytechnics should accept the concept in good fate as the Executive Secretary of NBTE is also working tirelessly for the HND and degree dichotomy see the light of the day.

As a dynamic administor, Professor Idris M. Bugaje had brought many developments for Nigerian education, most priority to polytechnics. He is a pioneer of many programs and developments in Nigerian Polytechnics hence nothing he brings can bring contraction for the progress of polytechnics and polytechnics education.

The recent launched of Sub-Saharan African Apprenticeship and Stakeholders Network (SASASNET) is in the passion of Bugaje’s spirit to promote polytechnics’ products and skills, thereby creating more opportunities for both students and the staff of Nigerian polytechnics. The changing face of NBTE and zones creation are all parts of his good work in uplifting the standards of polytechnics.

For good, Nigerian technologies should embrace the goals of NBTE in its quest of promoting their standards to eradicate the existing dichotomy between degree and HND for more opportunities and progress in the academic arena as what the African proverb says, “what a wise man sees someone may clime iroko tree and never see it” and “a good answer is good for a wise man”.