Benue State University, Makurdi

1.1       History
The Department of Vocational and Technical Education was one of the pioneer Departments of the Benue State University, Makurdi, right from inception in 1992/1993 session.  The Department was however, jointly started as part of the Department of Educational Foundations and Management/Vocational and Technical Education. In June, 1997 following rationalization exercise of Departments at Benue State University, the Department of Vocational and Technical Education was accorded full degree awarding status. The Department initially started with one academic programme of study this was Technology Education with the following areas of specialization:

1. Agricultural Mechanics Technology
2. Automobile Mechanics Technology
3. Building Construction Technology
4. Electrical Installation Technology
5. Electronics/Communication Technology
6. Metal Work Technology
7. Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Technology
8. Welding and Fabrication Technology
9. Woodworking Technology
10. Drafting Technology

The first set of students (only one),  graduated from the Department in the 1994/1995 academic session.  Since then intake into the Technology Education Programme has been growing steadily.  Although programmes run in the department are variations of the traditional Vocational and Technical Programmes, thefocus mainly is on teacher training to prepare those who would teach Vocational and Technical subjects in secondary schools and Technical colleges, as well as other tertiary institutions.

However, in line with changes in technology, as well as, workplace knowledge and skills requirements, the Department of Vocational and Technical Education proposes to revise the B.Sc. (Ed) Technology Education degree programme to a B. Sc. (Ed) Technology degree programme with specific specialization areas with effect from the 2013/2014 academic session.

The B.Sc. (Ed) Technology is a single degree but its nomenclature would indicate which area of technology the graduate is specializing in. This has not been the case with the B.Sc.(Ed) Technology Education programme and seemed to cause confusion among some employers as well as unnecessarily disadvantage our graduates in the market place.

1.2       Philosophy
The development and well being of a society depends largely on the assessment of the quality of human and material resources. Education is identified as the major determinant of that quality in the society.  A nation’s natural resources as well as the global socio-economic opportunities that abound cannot be equitably exploited without an educational system that provides opportunities for all citizens.  For such an educational system to be functional and sustainable, prospective teachers who have the knowledge, skills competencies and the pedagogy that encourage self reliance and service to humanity to make the system work must be trained and retrained continuously.

1.3       Objectives
The Vocational and Technical Education Programmes at Benue State University aims to:

1. Equip prospective teachers with Vocational/Technical and Pedagogical knowledge, skills and competences to enable them work as professional teachers at all levels of Vocational and Technical Education.
2. Equip prospective teachers with requisite knowledge, skills and competencies in research and development to enable them function at all levels in the education and industry.
3. Equip prospective teachers with the requisite knowledge, skill and competencies to enable them work in industries as training development officers or training managers.
4. Continue to update the knowledge, skills and competencies of in-service teachers in line with current and global practices to enable them cope with challenges in their chosen field.
5. Develop the entrepreneurial knowledge, skills and competencies of prospective teachers to enable them create job opportunities for themselves and their students (others).
6. Prepare prospective teachers for civic duties and other social responsibilities in the Society.
7. To prepare graduates for further studies in higher institutions of learning.

2.0       Admission Requirements
2.1       University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Applicant
A minimum of five (5) credits at O’Level in any of Teachers grade II (TC II) or Federal Craft Training Certificate or NTC/NBC, C&G and WAEC (Tech) at not more than two sittings in relevant subjects, which must include English Language, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry for UTME (100 level) candidates, (the minimum point or UTME candidates is as pegged by the Benue State University Admissions Committee and JAMB from time to time).
2.2       Direct Entry Applicants
Candidates applying for Direct Entry (DE) into two (200) level should possess in addition to the (5) O’ Level credits, at least an UpperCredit in ND from any recognized institution, or merit in IJMB, or NCE, or ‘A’ Level in the relevant subjects.

1. Pre-VTE

Preliminary (Pre-Degree) candidates (from Benue State University only) must have at least a “C” grade in English Language, Mathematics Physics or Chemistry and technical drawing for those in Technical Education option.

3.0       Course Duration
The period of study for the B.Sc. (Ed) Programme in the Department of Vocational and Technical Education at Benue State University, Makurdi is four (4) years or eight (8) semesters for UME/Pre-Degree candidates.  It is also three (3) years or six (6) semesters for Direct Entry (DE) candidates.
4.0       Degree Awarded
The Department of Vocational and Technical Education at Benue State University offers 4 years undergraduate degree programmes leading to the award of Bachelor of Science Education degree in Technology (B.Sc.[Ed] Technology) with specialization in:

1. Automobile technology
2. Building Construction Technology
3. Electrical Technology
4. Electronics Technology
5. Mechanical Production Technology
6. Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning
7. Woodwork Technology

B. Sc. (ED) TECHNOLOGY

Areas of Specialization
The Department has sevenTechnical Education areas of specialization, namely:

1. Automobile Technology
2. Building Construction Technology
3. Electrical Technology
4. Electronics Technology
5. Mechanical Production Technology
6. Refrigeration & Air-conditioning Technology
7. Woodwork Technology

Philosophy of the Programme
The philosophy of the Technology Educationprogramme is to seek to mold the total being by developing the mind and imparting both theoretical and practical technological knowledge that encourage self reliance in the individual and service to humanity. This is so considering the fact that technology has contributed more than any other factor in changing human ways of living on a daily basis. The programme of study and training are therefore been designed to assist the individual to understand, exploit, and if need be change his environment technologically.
Objectives of the Programme
The objectives of the Programme are:
i. To provide trained manpower in Applied Science and Technology.
ii. To provide technical knowledge and vocational skills necessary for industrial and economic development.
iii. To train people who can apply scientific knowledge to the improvement and solution of environmental problems for the use and convenience of man.

Admission Requirements

2.1 University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Applicant
A minimum of five (5) credits at O‟Level in any of Teachers grade II (TC II) or Federal Craft Training Certificate or NTC/NBC, C&G and WAEC (Tech) at not more than two sittings in relevant subjects, which must include English Language, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry for UTME (100 level) candidates, (the minimum point or UTME candidates is as pegged by the Benue State University Admissions Committee and JAMB from time to time).

2.2 Direct Entry Applicants
Candidates applying for Direct Entry (DE) into two (200) level should possess in addition to the (5) O‟ Level credits, at least an Upper Credit in ND from any recognized institution, or merit in IJMB, or NCE, or „A‟ Level in the relevant subjects.

2.3 Pre-VTE
Preliminary (Pre-Degree) candidates (from Benue State University only) must have at least a “C” grade in English Language, Mathematics Physics or Chemistry and technical drawing for those in Technical Education option

Staff List

S/No.	Full Name	Rank	Status	Qualification	Specialization