History

Established in 2018, the Department of Agricultural & Bio-Environmental Engineering commenced the National Diploma (ND) programme in 2020 and received full accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in 2024.

The department is equipped with tractors and other farm machinery, and operates a commercial farm. Current student enrolment is approximately 15. The department emphasises practical training, industry partnerships and applied research.

Goals and Objectives

The National Diploma programme in Building Technology is aimed at producing technicians that are capable of performing basic functions in Building Technology Practice both in private and public sector

Objectives

It is expected that on the completion of the programme, the diplomat of ND in Building Technology should be able to assist the professional Builder in the following areas:

• Production of simple buildings.
• Maintenance of simple buildings.
• Management of Small projects.
• Costing of simple construction works
• Cost control techniques in minor construction and engineering works.
• Selection of materials and techniques for new building systems.

Entry Requirements

Applicants with any of the following qualifications may be considered for admission into the National Diploma programme or by direct entry in Building Technology.

1. S.S.S.C or its equivalent (N.T.C, WASC, and GCE O’Level) with credit in Physics and Mathematics and any other two subjects from the following: Further Mathematics, Fine Art/Technical Drawing, Geography, Economics, English Language, Chemistry/Biology, Agricultural Science obtained at not more than two sittings. Candidates are expected to have at least a pass in English Language.
2. Four credit passes in relevant subjects as stated in (1) above obtained at the final examination of an NBTE recognized preliminary ND programme offered in a polytechnic or similar post-secondary technical Institution.

Admission Requirements

• SSCE/GCE/NECO with credits in English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Agricultural Science/Biology.
• ND holders in related disciplines may be considered for HND entry.
• Successful applicants must pass departmental screening and meet the institution's general admission rules.

Structure of Programme

The National Diploma Building Technology programme is a terminal programme and is structured to last for two years (four semesters). This include three to four months of supervised industrial work experience (SIWES) between the end of semester 2 and the beginning of semester

Conditions of Award

Institutions offering accredited programmes will award the National Diploma in Building Technology to candidates who successfully complete the programme after passing prescribed coursework, examinations, diploma experience. Such candidates should have completed a minimum of 72 semester credit units. All terminal National Diploma Examinations must be externally moderated. In grading the awards, the unified grading system should be applied.

Curriculum

The curriculum of the ND programme consists of four main components. These are:

• General Studies / Education
• Foundation Courses
• Professional Courses
• Supervised Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).

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Accreditation

Each ND programme must be accredited by the NBTE before diplomas are awarded. For details contact the Executive Secretary, Programmes Department, National Board for Technical Education, Plot B, Bida Road, P.M.B. 2239, Kaduna, Nigeria.

Guidance Note for Teachers Teaching the Programmes

The new curriculum is drawn in unit courses. This is in keeping with the provisions of the National Policy on Education which stress the need to introduce the semester credit units which will enable a student who so wish to transfer the units already completed in an institution of similar standard from which he is transferring.

In designing the units, the principle of the modular system by product has been adopted, thus making each of the professional modular, when completed provide the student with technician operative skills, which can be used for employment purposes. As the success of the credit unit system depends on the articulation of programmes between the institutions and industry, the curriculum content has been written in behavioral objectives, so that it is clear to all, the expected performance of the student who successfully complete some of the courses of the diplomats of the programme.

There is a slight departure in the presentation of the performance based curriculum which requires the conditions under which the performance are expected to be carried out and the criteria for the acceptable levels of performance. It is a deliberate attempt to further involve the staff of the department teaching the programme to write their own curriculum stating the conditions existing in their institution under which the performace can take place and to follow that with the criteria for determining an acceptable level of performance.

Departmental submission of the final curriculum may be vetted by the Academic Board of the institution. Our aim is to continue to see to it that a solid internal evaluation system exists in each institution for ensuring minimum standard and quality of education in the programme offered throughout the polytechnic system.

The Teaching of the theory and practical work should, as much as possible, be integrated Practical exercises, especially those in professional courses and laboratory work should not be taught in isolation from the theory. For each course, there should be a balance of theory to practice depending on the course and contents.