THE Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, to run bachelor degree programmes.
According to a statement signed by the Media Relations Officer of the polytechnic, Mr. Tope Abiola, the move is part of efforts to bridge the gap between the bachelor degree and the Higher National Diploma (HND) certificates in the country.
It also stated that the collaboration would afford students the opportunity to enrich themselves with both practical and theoretical knowledge needed to nourish their skills and expertise already acquired in their various disciplines.
Abiola said the programme was designed to enable HND holders convert to bachelor degrees in relevant areas of their studies, while those who had earlier possessed bachelor degrees but are willing to run a top-up programme in another discipline related to their areas of studies could also have the opportunity.
While signing the MoU, the rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Jacob Olusola Agboola, declared that about 37 courses were accredited recently for the institution, both at the National and Higher National Diploma levels by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Dr. Agboola maintained that the collaboration would enable graduates of the polytechnic who had HND and others from other institutions actualise their dreams of having bachelor degrees, which could enable them to go for master’s and doctoral degrees.
“Our polytechnic is ranked the fifth best in Nigeria, and our 37 courses were fully accredited by the NBTE recently. Our collaboration will be fruitful and improve the standard of education in Nigeria.
“We believe in the standard of your university, and with this relationship, teeming youths who are dreaming of having bachelor degrees will have the opportunity,” Agboola said.
While responding, the vice chancellor of the Ajayi Crowther University, Professor Dapo Asaju, lauded the step taken by the management of the polytechnic.
He said, “We don’t just collaborate with any institution; but the standard and credibility we saw when our team visited the polytechnic to assess the quality of your equipment and staff endeared us to collaborate with you. I urge you to maintain the standard and reputation.”
