By Ayodele Abere
The internationalization of higher education (IHE) is a major force shaping and challenging higher education worldwide and a central feature of higher education policy and practice.
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.
A major development challenge in Nigeria is how 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.
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.
Shaanxi Polytechnic Institute is a leading public college in China and supported by Chinese government under the Belt and Road Initiative, they are well positioned to support Nigeria Tertiary education, particularly technical and vocational education.
They are ready to consider any innovative ideas that could move education forward to high quality standard by providing the right skills that could help solve unemployment problems and develop talents for international opportunities to operate optimally at a global standard. They have been supporting TVET teachers’ capacity development in Nigeria through their various interventions.
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, Federal Capital Territory about three years ago.
Baring his mind on the development is an Expert in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), as well as the Consultant Shaanxi Polytechnic, Country Representative, Mr. Julius Ayodele, who said 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.
Ayodele noted that with the approval of the Federal Ministry of Education, many Polytechnics and their students have benefited in one way or the other from Shaanxi Polytechnic Institute Programmes in Nigeria.
According to him, “some of the Polytechnics in Nigeria comprising Federal, State and Private have signed partnership agreement with Shaanxi Polytechnic Institute.
“The capacity development programmes that have been completed by Shaanxi Polytechnic Institute include the following: 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”.
Adding that in future, there is prospect for National Critique with National Board for Technical Education and development of dual diploma programme, Leadership visits to China, Students Exchange.
Ayodele explained that Shaanxi Polytechnic Institute is helping to improve the quality of curriculum, saying that their support will help improve the capacities of the Polytechnics in Nigeria and provide employability skills which will help solve unemployment particularly among the youth.
Reacting, the Acting Rector of the First Irish Business School, Lagos, Dr. Louis Odubanjo, who participated in the signing of the partnership deal, and involved in the curriculum development as well as adaptation of some of the Shaanxi Polytechnic Programmes for Nigerians, stated that the curriculum development and adaptation for use in Nigeria by partner schools have been very successful but need to speed up.
The Educational Evaluation specialist said that, “as it stands now, the process awaits National Critique by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in Nigeria.
The completion of the National Critique exercise is important to begin the use of that curriculum in Nigeria. The support for equipment and tools (both hardware and software) and manpower development are all essential”.
Similarly, the Rector, St.Winifred Innovation Institute, Dr. Andrews Jegede, opined that the contract with Shaanxi Polytechnic to domesticate curriculum for Nigerians was carried out successfully.
Jegede, said he was able to develop and domesticate the following curriculum of Shaanxi Polytechnic Institute; NID and HNID Networking and System Security, NID and HNID Digital Multimedia Technology, NID and HNID Welding and Fabrication Automation, NID and HNID Computer Software Engineering.
Also, the Dean, Research and Innovative, Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, Dr Grace Korter, who happens to be the contact person for the collaboration between the Institution and Shaanxi Polytechnic Institute, said the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Nigeria, is in collaboration with Shaanxi Polytechnic Institute in the following areas: Curricula Cooperation, Student Internship in China, Education Officials and School Leaders Visit to China.
To scale up Mechanical, Electrical/Electronic and Computer Engineering Technology Departments according to Dr. Korter, the Polytechnic also entered into collaboration with the Institute. Adding that a new department, Urban Rail Engineering Technology Department will be established in due course.
In her word, “capacity building for Staff; Staff and Student exchange programmes; Curriculum Domestication; Chinese Village/Institute; Chinese Restaurant among others are the focus of the collaboration for an improved academic system.
Speaking on the other areas of involvement, the contact person maintained that the Federal Polytechnic Offa, took part in the 2022 Virtual Winter Camp for Chinese Language and Traditional Clothing Handicraft at Shaanxi Polytechnic Institute held between December 12th-23rd, 2022.
“While trying to get across to the Federal Polytechnic Offa students, a lot of students from other Institutions which include Nigerian Universities showed interest and took part in the Winter camp.
“The 10 day Chinese virtual winter camp exposed students to Chinese Traditional Fashion, Culture, Listening & Speaking, Dancing and Kung Fu Arts. Six of our students were able to complete the camp session and issued certificates, signed MoU to commence Chinese Language Center at Federal Polytechnic Offa, submitted proposal requesting for collaboration on curriculum development for its trainers in Rail Technology Engineering and Renewable Energy Technology Engineering to enable take-off of the two programmes at the Polytechnic, Domestication of Shaanxi Polytechnic Institute Curriculum, Shaanxi Polytechnic Institute 2023”.
Dr. Grace Korter noted that the collaboration has been very successful for all the projects. She appreciated the Dean, International Education School, Shaanxi Polytechnic Institute, China, Mr Qin Jingjun and the TVET Skills Expert, Mr Ayodele Julius, for their passion to see the Federal Polytechnic Offa succeed in all areas of collaboration.
She therefore called on the management to hasten up the process of the curriculum at the Federal Polytechnic Offa “Our request is for the management to hasten the process to enable commencement of Chinese Restaurant at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa.
“I implore other stakeholders to key into the efforts of Shaanxi Polytechnic Institute to promote academic culture for a better society.we look forward to a more favourable working relationship”. She concluded.