National Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) has rued an age-long disparity between Polytechnic and university graduates and, thereby advocated enactment of law for the establishment of the National Polytechnic Commission to address what it terms an academic injustice.
Expressing concern over the dichotomy during a courtesy call on the management of the Polytechnic Ibadan on Monday as part of activities marking 39th Conference of Technologies in Engineering and Annual General Meeting, its National President Rt. Hon. Dominic Udoatan blamed the development of the nation’s reward system.
He noted that the policymakers placed high premium on University education at the detriment of other institutions.
The president likened the present situation to training young graduates without a secure future.
He added that the National Board for Technical Education should be left with the management of Technical colleges while the proposed NPC should concentrate on formulating policies for Polytechnic education.
According to him, “the disparity between the University and Polytechnic graduates is taking its toll on the enrollment of the students as many parents prefer to have their children registered in the former.
“Student enrolment at various Polytechnic nationwide is dwindling on yearly basis due to the premium placed on the University education.
“Also, the management of the Polytechnic is not helping the matter as they are practicing same in terms of recruitment and promotion of staff in their institution.
“The economy of the country is supposed to be technologically driven but with the dichotomy, it will be hard for the country to meet up with other developing nations.
“In order to correct the imbalance, there is need for the setting up of National Polytechnic Commission like that of the National Universities Commission.
“I am imploring the rectors of the Polytechnic Institution across the country to use their offices to champion the noble course”.
In his response, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, Prof. Kareem Adekunle Adebiyi assured the leadership of the Association of his support in achieving the set goals
According to him, “I am a product of the University and Polytechnic education and I can tell you that the Polytechnic graduates have a lot to offer the country”.
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