NBTE begins review of engineering technology curriculum

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has commenced the review of the curriculum for the National Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology as part of efforts to reposition polytechnics.

At the opening of the three-day workshop for the review in Abuja on Monday, the Executive Secretary of NBTE, Idris Bugaje, emphasised the need for a curriculum that meets global standards.

The review is being conducted in collaboration with an international technical service provider.

Bugaje stated that two years ago, the board introduced a skills empowerment programme and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the European private firm ERYK Group.

The partnership is to train over 500 National Diploma holders in Electrical/Electronic Engineering.

The training, which lasted two years, aimed to help participants secure employment.

He revealed that after screening, only 25 candidates passed, which prompted the NBTE to undertake the review of the Electrical/Electronic Engineering curriculum to strengthen the field.

The revised curriculum, he added, would equip students with skills for global competitiveness and employability.

Bugaje further explained that the involvement of international experts in the review was strategic to ensure that Nigeria develops a robust, up-to-date curriculum.

“We are taking curriculum review to a new level in this country. We are bringing in experts from outside Nigeria so that we can develop a curriculum that can serve global industries.

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“Nigerian polytechnics are set to develop skilled manpower not only for the Nigerian economy but for the global economy.

“We are trying to catch up with other countries like India, China, Bangladesh, and other Asian nations.

“Nigerian youths need to be empowered so they can secure jobs even outside the shores of Nigeria. This will be a win-win situation for us,” he added.

Also, the President of ERYK Group, Mr Moller Jen-Christian, expressed confidence that the goals set for the curriculum review would be achieved.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Electrical/Electronic Engineering curriculum was last reviewed in 2020.