Polytechnics cannot be transformed into universities but can offer undergraduate degrees: Moyo

Officiating at the Bulawayo Polytechnic where 1 553 students graduated after completing diplomas in various disciplines, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Professor Jonathan Moyo said that polytechnics cannot be transformed into universities even though they can award undergraduate degrees.

Said Moyo:

We’ve never heard of polytechnic universities in this civilised world. Our view is different from that and it’s important for all of us to understand that polytechnics will not be transformed into universities. It’s out of the question. We expect polytechnics to develop and train technologists if they are to transform. The only degree that they can offer is an undergraduate degree. We can’t see polytechnics awarding Masters Degrees or PhDs. We were surprised when polytechnics said they want to become universities when they know that the average lecturer in their institutions doesn’t have a Master’s Degree in the relevant field.

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