What is a polytechnic?

Polytechnics are established by the government in 1966 in order to concentrate in major colleges the large amount of work of university standard being done outside the university.

In many ways the polytechnics and universities are similar; for example, in much of the work they do. However, there are two important differences. Firstly, universities are autonomous bodies. Secondly, universities, being autonomous, award their own degrees. Most degrees in polytechnics are awarded by a national body called the Council for National Academic Awards. The Council ensures that the degrees awarded in polytechnics are comparable in standard to degrees awarded by universities.

Polytechnics are teaching institutes. They have more varied courses than any other higher educational institute. They provide courses for various levels from post GCE “A’-level to post-graduate level. Courses are also of various patterns: full-time, part-time and sandwich. The student has therefore, a wide range of choice, such as a pure academic study, a study of an applied nature or professional qualification.

About two-thirds of polytechnic graduates get qualifications in subjects of an applied nature and take their first jobs in the field for which they have studied.

Polytechnics have close contacts with commerce and industry. Many of them are vocational, that is, prepare students for technical jobs. They produce technologists, technicians and craftsmen.

At a polytechnic, as at a university, students come from different backgrounds, have diverse interests and follow a variety of courses. Students’ life at a polytechnic is interesting and varied, socially, as well as educationally.

Polytechnics play a main role in higher education.

Аннотация

(Annotation)

The text is concerned with the description of polytechnics as teaching institutions. It draws our attention to the role of polytechnics in higher education. The text is of interest to young people who are going to enter higher educational institutions.

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