Education

NBTE seeks more funding, conversion of 60% of Nigerian varsities into Polys

Published

1 year ago

October 23, 2023

NBTE seeks more funding, conversion of 60% of Nigerian varsities into Polys

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), has advocated more funding and conversion of 60 per cent of Nigerian Universities and Polytechnics to bridge the gap in skills deficiency amongst graduates.

The Executive Secretary (ES) of NBTE, Prof Idris Bugaje, made the call on Monday in Kaduna at the North-West zone national workshop on the reviewed entrepreneurship and skills development curricular for entrepreneurship educators in Nigerian Polytechnics and similar institutions.

The theme of the workshop was ‘New approach to entrepreneurship curricular delivery’.

Bugaje, represented by his Special Assistant, Dr Ibrahim Bashir, said, ”For every Engineer produced by a university, he requires at least five technologists, 10 technicians and 20 artisans in executing projects.”

He, therefore, said that the artisans and technologists were products of Polytechnics, which called for a reverse in funding process by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) to pump more funds into polytechnics.

“As a serious nation and trying to do what is expected, we should be promoting skills and not theories.

“We should be thinking of chunning out the skillful youth population out of our higher institutions.

“Our people are always thinking of migrating to Europe and Asia, some through deadly routes. If those people are well skilled with the necessary certification, they will be given red carpet reception wherever they go,”he said.

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Bugaje, therefore, wondered why Nigerians were more passionate about degrees instead of skills.

He stressed the importance of curriculum, stating that it is the foundation of any good programme that wants to be created.

Bugaje said the present curriculum being administered to students in the polytechnics was developed in 2007.

According to him,.there have been a lot of changes over the years, where the mantra of the NBTE was centred on skills and not degrees.

Bugaje said that the NBTE’s advocacy on skills was not in any way discouraging acquisition of degrees, but should be complemented by skills.

“Without skills, one is likely not going to fit into the contemporary competitive world. Skills are now the most important global currency of the world,”he said.

The executive secretary described the uproar by some actors about the ‘top up degree’ programme by the NBTE as uncalled for and unnecessary/

Bugaje stated that converting 60 per cent of Nigerian universities into polytechnics was the right thing to do to be seen as serious in the educational sector.

Earlier, the NBTE’s Director, Curriculum Development Department, Dr Musa Koko, said the workshop was the first in its series and the second since 2007.

He said that the last efforts in developing the entrepreneurship curriculum, teachers guide and training manual was to kick start the Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) in all the Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Institutions.

Koko said the curriculum development was aimed at improving programme delivery and graduates’ improvement towards self-reliance.

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He explained that the training, which was held between 2007-2010, targeted 300 lecturers with a visit to Songhai Centre in Port Novo, Benin Republic.

“It is important to note that nearly seventeen years of implementation of the EDP project in our institutions has made it overdue both in content, approach and delivery.

“The board under Prof Bugaje had rolled out a decisive policy direction aimed primarily to
address TVET position in skills delivery which include the review of all aging curricula in all the
programmes and especially the EEd,”he said.

Koko added that the review was necessitated because of the time and the need to reinvigorate the spirit of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship for all TVET Institutions and its graduates.

He however, said that presently, the focus was widened because the number of Instructors and lecturers targeted was nearly 4000, with the North- Central alone having about 350 by estimate.

Koko, therefore, said the workshop was to bring the lecture’s attention to the new approach to entrepreneurship delivery.

“This is because the review has addressed the content, pedagogy and the practical requirement in terms of skills and trades as well as award and certification of graduates”,he said.

Koko urged the participants to grant the workshop the necessary attention it deserved.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the entrepreneurship workshop was organized in conjunction with Danglo Management and Financial Limited while it was sponsored by TETfund.

NBTE seeks more funding, conversion of 60% of Nigerian varsities into Polys

(NAN)

Education

Canadian province opens 2025 government internship programs for international students

Published

4 days ago

December 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Canadian province opens 2025 government internship programs for international students

The Government of Prince Edward Island (PEI), a Canadian province, is inviting applications for its 2025 Internship Program.

This opportunity allows international students and recent graduates to gain experience working within the provincial government.

The internship program, which is a one-year temporary job assignment, offers participants the chance to build skills and gain professional experience in various PEI government departments.

According to the Prince Edward Island, the program also provides access to workshops, networking events, and other professional development resources to help interns grow in their careers.

The PEI internship program is set to begin in May 2025 and runs for one year. Interns will have the opportunity to work in multiple government departments, participating in workshops and professional development activities. These include career planning, conflict management, emotional intelligence, and training on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), as well as anti-racism in the workplace.

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Additionally, the program provides a platform for;

Networking,
Helping interns to connect with government professionals and
Build valuable relationships within the public service sector.
Interns will also receive support to help them understand eligibility for government jobs and navigate potential future opportunities in the public service.

Eligibility and application requirements

To be eligible for the program, applicants must have completed a;

Post-secondary program within the past 36 months. Additionally,

Candidates should be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible for a Canadian work permit.
International students who meet these requirements are encouraged to apply.

Applications are currently being accepted, and interested candidates must submit their applications through the official PEI Internship Program Portal.

Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held on March 4th and 5th, 2025. The internship program will begin in May 2025.

How to apply and important dates

Applicants can apply online through the official PEI Internship Program Portal.

Additional details, including position descriptions and participating departments, are available on the official website of the Government of PEI.

Canadian province opens 2025 government internship programs for international students

Education

Two ex-VCs, JAMB registrar to attend Prof. Ibraheem UNILAG inaugural lecture Wed

Published

2 weeks ago

December 15, 2024

Trends Admin

Two ex-VCs, JAMB registrar to attend Prof. Ibraheem UNILAG historic inaugural lecture Wed

History beckons as Mass Comm alumnus delivers inaugural lecture Wed

History will be made this week Wednesday December 18, 2024 at University of Lagos when an alumnus of the university’s Mass Communication Department, Ismail Adegboyega Ibrahim, professor of journalism and communication studies, will deliver inaugural lecture as a lecturer of the department.

Ibraheem, a 1990 graduate of the university, returned to the institution in 2011 as a lecturer.

It is the first time a former student of the department will be delivering an inaugural lecture 58 years after its establishment.

Ibraheem, director of International Relations, Partnerships and Prospects at the UNILAG, will speak on “Casino Journalism and the End of History.”

The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, will chair the event, according to a statement from the institution.

Two former vice-chancellors of the university, Professor Rahamon Bello and Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, are expected to grace the lecture along with the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Oloyede, among others.

The lecture is scheduled for 4pm at the J.F. Ade. Ajayi Auditorium, UNILAG, Akoka.

Members of the University Community and general public are invited to join the lecture physically or virtually via Zoom Meeting ID:862 1255 2361.

Education

Austria offers scholarship grant for int’l postgraduate, research students

Published

2 weeks ago

December 12, 2024

Trends Admin

Austria offers scholarship grant for int’l postgraduate, research students

The Republic of Austria is offering an opportunity for international postgraduate students, PhD candidates, and postdoctoral researchers through the Ernst Mach Scholarship 2025.

Managed by OeAD-GmbH, Austria’s agency for education, this scholarship aims to support talented individuals in advancing their academic and research careers in Austria.

Details of the scholarship program

According to OeAD, the Ernst Mach Scholarship is open to students and researchers from various academic disciplines. This includes areas such as;

Natural sciences
Technical sciences
Human medicine
Health Sciences
Agricultural sciences
Social sciences
Humanities, and arts.

The scholarship provides funding for semester or one-year grants, with research grants lasting from one to nine months, making it accessible to a broad range of applicants.

Benefits of the Ernst Mach scholarship

The scholarship offers numerous benefits to successful applicants.

Recipients will receive a monthly stipend of €1,300 for the duration of their stay in Austria.
Accommodation assistance is available, with affordable housing options ranging from €330 to €800 per month.
OeAD will also provide administrative support to help applicants find suitable housing.

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Grant holders will receive guidance on obtaining health insurance accepted in Austria, with a cost ranging from €55 to €200 per month. The scholarship also waives tuition fees at public universities, further reducing the financial burden on participants.

A travel subsidy of up to €1,200 is available for applicants from eligible developing countries, with travel invoices required for reimbursement. Moreover, recipients will have the opportunity to build valuable connections with top researchers and institutions in Austria, which can significantly enhance their academic and professional networks.

Eligibility criteria for applicants

The Ernst Mach Scholarship is open to early-career academics who are passionate about advancing their research. To be eligible, applicants must be;

Postgraduate students pursuing a PhD outside Austria or postgraduates and postdoctoral researchers looking to conduct research in Austria.
Additionally, postdocs employed at universities outside Austria are also eligible to apply.
Applicants must be 35 years old or younger (born on or after October 1st, 1989) and should not have lived, studied, or worked in Austria for more than six months prior to applying.
Proficiency in English or German is required to ensure effective communication during the research process.

How to apply for the Ernst Mach Scholarship

To apply for the Ernst Mach Scholarship 2025, interested individuals must visit the official OeAD-GmbH website.

The application deadline is February 1st, 2025. Applicants should ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements and submit all required documents before the deadline.