In a recent press briefing commemorating his first anniversary as the seventh substantive Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, Engr. Temitope Alake voiced apprehension about the diminishing enrollment in Higher Diploma (HD), courses at the institution.
He attributed this to the ongoing HND/BSc dichotomy, which has created a perception among prospective students that HD programs are inferior compared to university degrees.
Temitope Alake lamented the diminished presence of students in higher classes, noting that many holders of Ordinary Diploma certificates now opt for direct entry into universities, perceiving polytechnic graduates as inferior due to the existing dichotomy.
Highlighting the role of professional bodies, Alake criticized the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), for perpetuating discrimination against HND holders, exacerbating the enrollment challenge.
“We now have fewer students in our various higher diploma classes. Many of our ordinary diploma holders prefer to go for direct entry into the university since they don’t want to be seen as inferior graduates,” Alake emphasized.
He equally urged Nigerians to embrace vocational skills, stressing the relevance of such skills in the face of the evolving digital economy, which is reducing the demand for traditional manpower.
He also stated that the institution will be collaborating with the School of Agriculture to address food scarcity amidst economic downturns, and appealed to well-meaning individuals to support the institution with donations, including tractors, while urging parents and guardians to encourage their wards to acquire marketable skills.
