We’re not in support of conversion of polytechnics to universities —ASUP

THE Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has again expressed disapproval for the conversion of polytechnics to full-fledged universities in the country.

The union instead advocated dual mandate programmes for polytechnics whereby they offer both HND and Bachelor of Tech degree programmes concurrently with them having equal status in the labour market.

The President of ASUP, Mr Kpanja Shammah, stated this in an exclusive interview with the Nigerian Tribune when asked to react to the recent conversion by the Federal Government of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) Lagos to a full-fledged university.

According to him, ASUP has never been in support of converting one polytechnic or the other owned by either the federal or state government to a full-fledged university status but to allow polytechnics to offer both HND and B.tech programmes.

By this, he pointed out, those who want to go for HND after their ND programmes can do so, and likewise, those who want to go for Btech can also do so in the same polytechnic.

“So, graduates on both sides will go along their respective career paths, and that system will eliminate the existing dichotomy between HND and BSc, he said.

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Kpanja, however, expressed optimism in the current national assembly and the presidency to, through legislation; remove the long existing dichotomy between the two certificates, which has been a subject of controversy for a long time in the country.

He said though the bill to end the disparity has suffered in the hands of the previous governments, it would become a law this time around.