National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has announced the unbundling of Computer Science programme being offered in Polytechnics, Monotechnics and other similar technical institutions with Higher National Diploma (HND) certification.
The former Computer Science programme gave birth to four new academic programmes: HND Artificial Intelligence, HND Networking and Cloud Computing, HND Software and Web Development, and HND Cybersecurity and Data Protection.
The information was contained in a letter from the NBTE to Rectors/Provosts of Polytechnics, Monotechnics, and other technical institutions, instructing that admission into the programme should stop forthwith.
Directors- General of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) and Industrial Training Fund (ITF) were also informed about the development through a letter from the office of the NBTE Executive Secretary.
Executive Secretary, NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, who signed the letter, explained that the decision was a result of emerging trends in the world of technology, and the need to strategically position graduates for a more effective national development.
He added: “Consequently, there will no longer be admissions into the HND Computer Science programme from the 2024/2025 academic session. Students that have already been admitted into the former programmes are given up to 2025 to phase out.”
He told the Heads of institutions in the letter that the 2025 grace period is to enable concerned institutions to graduate students that were admitted under the old curricula,
“In view of the above, you (heads of institutions) 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.
“While hoping that this information will be treated accordingly and given wide circulation through your good office, please accept the assurance of my highest regards and consideration,” the letter added.