The Shaanxi Polytechnic Institute, China has entered into partnership with Polytechnics and other institutions in Nigeria on Internationalisation of Higher Education (IHE).
The partnership is aimed at supporting Nigeria Tertiary education, particularly technical and vocational education.
The Consultant and Shaanxi Polytechnic Country Representative, Mr. Julius Ayodele, who while speaking on the collaborate said IHE is the process of integrating an international, intercultural and global dimension into the purpose, functions (teaching, research and service) and delivery of higher education.
Ayodele who is a Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) skill expert added that the collaboration of Shaanxi Polytechnic Institute with Polytechnics in Nigeria was approved by the Federal Ministry of Education through a letter conveyed to Shaanxi Polytechnic by National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in February, 2021.
The move, he said, was designed to address labour market skills shortages, meet industry-specific skill demands and facilitate the transfer of technical skills and capabilities for operating large industrial projects to Nigerian citizens being one of the country’s major development challenges.
“IHE facilitates skills and knowledge transfer by providing students, staff, and institutions
with learnings from advanced educational institutions abroad to prepare them to function in increasingly international and culturally diverse business environments without travelling abroad.
“Providing the right skills that could help solve unemployment problems and develop talents for international opportunities to operate optimally at a global standard”.
It would be recalled that Association of Proprietors of Innovation and Vocational Institutions formally presented some curriculum produced by Shaanxi Polytechnic Institute, China and stakeholders in Nigeria, to National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in Abuja about three years ago with many Polytechnics, students benefiting from the institute’s programmes in Nigeria following approval by the Federal Ministry of Education.
He highlighted some the institute’s completed capacity development programmes to be: Shared Curriculum with Nigeria Polytechnics, Domestication of Curriculum, Curriculum Review.
Online Workshops, Winter Camp with the focus on Chinese language and cultural awareness. Advisory and consultative work with Polytechnics on how to improve quality of their provision, Sharing training resources with some Nigeria Polytechnics,
Meeting with stakeholders online to discuss ideas and creative ways Chinese TVET institutions will be able to support Nigeria Polytechnics.
He said there are prospects for National Critique with the National Board for Technical Education and development of dual diploma programmes, Leadership visits to China, and Students Exchange in future.
Some of the stakeholders who hailed the collaboration are, the Acting Rector of the First Irish Business School, Lagos, Dr. Louis Odubanjo, the Rector, St. Winifred Innovation Institute, Dr. Andrews Jegede, the Dean, Research and Innovative, Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, Dr Grace Korter.
Dr Odunanjo who participated in the signing of the partnership deal, stated that the curriculum development and adaptation for use in Nigeria by partner schools have been very successful but need to speed up.
