By O.V.Collins
The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has announced the unbundling of the Higher National Diploma (HND) Computer Science programme in all institutions under its purview. This decision, aimed at aligning with emerging trends and enhancing national development, will result in the introduction of four specialised programmes.
The revamped structure now features four specialised areas, reflecting the dynamic landscape of the tech industry. The new programmes are HND Artificial Intelligence, HND Networking and Cloud Computing, HND Software and Web Development, and HND Cybersecurity and Data Protection.
This development implies that starting from the 2024/2025 academic session, there will be no admissions into the traditional HND COMPUTER SCIENCE programme. However, students already enrolled in the existing programme have been granted until 2025 to complete their studies, allowing institutions to phase out the old curriculum.
In an official communique, Prof. Idris M. Bugaje, the Executive Secretary, urged the DG, Industrial Training Fund, along with all Rectors/Provosts and Heads of Polytechnics, Monotechnics, and Similar Tech Institutions to take note of these changes, emphasising that admissions into the HND Computer Science programme from the 2024/2025 academic session onwards will exclusively be for the four specialised areas.
“In view of the above, you are requested to kindly note that admissions from the 2024/2025 academic session into the erstwhile HND Computer Science programme will be only in the aforementioned four specialized areas,” Prof. Bugaje said.
This strategic shift aims to equip graduates with expertise in cutting-edge fields for the evolving demands of the technology industry, robustly contributing to national development