Abstract
Students of the Nigerian polytechnic from the south-south region have insufficient knowledge and skills in powder metallurgy technology for securing employment in the manufacturing sector. Stakeholders blamed this on the absence of detailed course of study and scanty theoretical and practical content as contained in the NBTE curriculum that was designed for manufacturing engineering technology students of the polytechnics. Hence, the purpose of this study was to develop powder metallurgy technology course of study for students in polytechnics. In order to attain the objectives of the study, Research and Development (R & D) design was adopted. The total population for the study was 219 respondents; comprising 43 manufacturing Engineering technology lecturers, 79 managers in powder metallurgy industries, and 97 part– time students of manufacturing engineering technology from south-south Nigerian polytechnics. There was no sampling because the entire population for the study was used since is of manageable size.Six specific purposes, six research questions, and five null hypotheses guided the study. The instrument for data collection was the: Powder Metallurgy Technology Course of Study Questionnaire (PMTCSQ). The PMTCSQ was subjected to face validation by three Experts (Two from the University, and one powder metallurgy industry professional). Cronbach Alpha Coefficient method was used to establish the reliability coefficient index in clusters as follows: instructional objectives (0.88), content (0.78), delivery methods (0.87), instructional resources (0.76), evaluation techniques (0.89), and the entire instrument (0.84). The six stated research questions were analyzed using mean, and standard deviation; while ANOVA and t – test were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The results of the findings from the study are: A course of study on powder metallurgy technology for polytechnic students has been developed. The study found five appropriate instructional objectives, 97 items in clusters as content, 109 instructional materials/facilities/equipment/tools was appropriate for implementation of the developed course of study, 20 delivery methods, and 19 evaluation techniques were found appropriate and most suited to be included in the developed program. The developed course of study was certified valid for inclusion into the mechanical engineering technology, manufacturing option curriculum of the polytechnics by 10 Experts drawn from the Universities and powder metallurgy related industries. Therefore, the study recommends that to graduate students of manufacturing engineering technology option from the Polytechnic with adequate employable skills and knowledge on modern materials processing technology, the developed program should be included as a guide to the lecturers and students for teaching and learning purposes of skills and knowledge transfer in powder metallurgy technology. Also the study recommends that powder metallurgy technology should be made to standalone as a single course in the NBTE HND designed curriculum and module specification in mechanical engineering technology, manufacturing option of the Polytechnics. With this the problem of inadequate employable knowledge and skills that resulted in to partial unemployment of the
Polytechnic graduates will be solved.
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CHAPTERONE INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Powdermetallurgy (PM) technology is a component of mechanical engineering technology, which is integrated into a coursetitled:Metalformingandheat treatment (MEM, 321)in manufacturingengineeringtechnology curriculumofNigerianpolytechnics.The contentofthiscourse(MEM,321),isanchoredongeneral productionengineering principles, where majoremphasisisonconventionalmetallic,andnon-metallicmaterialsproduction by theprocessesofmelting,casting,andheattreatment.Thissubject(MEM,321)doesnot provideadequatealternativeinformationforwider materialsapplicationintheareasof manufactureofproductsthatcannotbemelted or difficult to meltlikeceramic,floortiles,refractories,heatandelectricalinsulators,and otherutilityproducts.Thestudy ofpowdermetallurgy technologyinthepolytechnics in South– South region where this study was conducted isstill treatedwithlevity; asitisjustmerelylistedanddiscussedasasingletopicfor classroominstructionwithoutduereferencetodetailedtheory andpracticalcontents.
Consequently, students graduating fromthe polytechnics in this region as manufacturingengineering technologists,lackadequate knowledge andskillsinpowdermetallurgy technologyduetothe absence ofdetailed course of study toguide the teaching and learning processes. The NationalBoardfor TechnicalEducation(NBTE)curriculumpreparedfor mechanical engineering students ofthe polytechnics is yet to provide adequate employable skills in powdermetallurgytechnology toenablestudentscopewiththe emerging materialsprocessing advancementtechnology.This according to Raymond (2014) hasresultedintograduationof half- baked graduates (Technologists), with incompleteknowledgeon materials processing technology. This is a far cry from generalaimsandobjectivesofstudyingmanufacturing engineeringtechnology inthepolytechnics. Raymond (2014) conducted a study to investigate the level of engagement and
performance of polytechnic graduates in indigenous and allied industries in South – South and
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South – East geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The findings of the study indicated that among other fields of engineering profession studied, manufacturing engineering graduates with ND and HND from the polytechnics are the least engaged graduates mostly in the bulk materialsreduction and processing industries (beverages, rock crushing, powder manufacturing and others). Raymond (2014) further stated that manufacturing engineering graduates of the polytechnic in the industries are fast losing their jobs for poor performance on the job as a result of inadequate knowledge and skills relating to powder metallurgy processes.
The above stated scenariohascreatedpartialunemployment amonggraduates of manufacturingengineeringtechnologyfrom Nigerianpolytechnics.If nothing is done to equip polytechnic students with the requisite skills and knowledge in powder metallurgy technology, it will benear impossible to actualizethe Nigeria Oiland GasIndustry LocalContentDevelopmentAct
2010 initiativeand theNational AutomotivePolicy(manufacture of indigenousvehicle). Theintended objectivesofthelocalcontentlawintheNigeriancontextare: to increase value-added content, thereby contributing to national economic development,transfertechnologyanddevelopmentoflocalknow-how amongst others. Withproper implementationoftheAct,powdermetallurgy technologywillaidlocalskills,technology transfer,and use oflocal materialsandmanpower to manufacture new powder metallurgyproducts in theareasofconstruction,agriculturalmachinery,machinetools, automobile technology,instrument,computers, among others.Thecontinuedinvestmentinmanpower capacity developmentthroughteachingandlearningofpowdermetallurgytechnologyinthe polytechnicswillsolveunemploymentissueandsustainlocalcontentdevelopmentagenda oftheFederalGovernment ofNigeria. Inorder toachievetheproductionofskillfulandknowledgeablemanufacturing engineeringgraduatesfromthepolytechnics,powdermetallurgytechnologymustbetaught in detailtostudents.
PowderMetallurgy (PM) technologyis the process of blendingfinepowderedmaterials,pressing (compacting) themintodesiredshapesor
formsandthenheating thecompressedmaterialinacontrolledatmosphereto bond the material together (sintering). In theview of Sweet,Brochu,Hexemer,Donaldson,andBishop(2014), powder metallurgy(PM)technologyis defined as a fabricationmethodwherethematerialinitspowderform,isboundtogetherata temperaturebelowthemelting pointofthemajorconstituents,toformacoherentsolidmass. Powdermetallurgytechnologyaimsatproducingsimple andcomplexcomponentswithout therequirementfor melting andcasting processes,andvery oftenwithouthaving to revert toworking processes and fabrication techniques ofany other kind(Thummler andOberacker,
1993). The meaning of powder metallurgy technology given by Sweet, Brochu, Hexemer, Donaldson, and Bishop (2014), is apt and was adopted as the operational definition of the technology for this study. Powdermetallurgy technology consistsgenerallyof fivebasicstepsasprocessesinsequence;whichinclude: powdermanufacturing processes,blending or mixing,compaction,sintering,andoptionalsecondary finishingoperations. As a result of the wide application of powder metallurgy, some nations have begun to see powder metallurgy as an economic means.
Powder metallurgytechnology playsvitalroleinnationaleconomictransformationofcountriesthat invests hugeresourcesin research- based study of the technology. For instance,India, France, China, Japan, Germany, Russia,England,andUnitedStates, haveinstitutionalizedthe study of this technology in bothprivate and public schools, institutes, and training centers; and they are doing better inthe areas ofautomotiveandothermaterialsproduction as a result of theapplicationof powdermetallurgy.This technology (powder metallurgy) can be put into proper application with a sound knowledge in Research and Development (R & D) pattern; and made available to the polytechnics for adoption as learning content. To realize the objective of establishing powder metallurgy technology in the various institutions of learning (private and public schools) a research and development study like this will first be the guiding step towards establishment and standardization of the programs for teaching and learning process.
Development isthe methodical organization of scientific and technicalknowledgetosatisfy particularsetofobjectivesorrequirements.Hornby,(2015) defined development as anextensionoftheoreticalorpracticalaspectofaconcept,
design,discovery,orinventionofaproductorknowledge.The operationaldefinitionfor theconceptofdevelopment as regards thisstudy,is thesystematiccompilationofprovenscientificliteraturesandresultsofanalyticaldata, with the objective of, developing suitable curriculum (course of study), on powder metallurgy technologyforstudentsinthepolytechnics.Theneededknowledgeandskillsto accomplishthispowdermetallurgytechnologycannot be actualizedwithoutadoptionof basicResearch and Development (R &D)steps.
R&Disafactfindingengagementthatistargetedatmakingadiscoverythatcan eitherleadtothedevelopmentofnewproductsorprocedures,ortotheimprovementof existingproductsorprocedures. According to Gall, Gall, and Borg (2007), there are ten serial steps called R & D steps in education: (a) Goals definition (Needs Assessment), (b) Conduct of instructional analysis (review of relevant literature), (c) Analysis of learners and contexts, (d)Writing of performance objectives for the product to be developed, (e) Development of assessment instruments, (f) Development of instructional strategy, (g) Development and selection of instructional materials, (h) Design and conduct of formative evaluation of instruction, (i) Revision of instruction, and (j) Design and conduct of summative evaluation. The adoption of R
& D design in educational research is targeted at the production of educational program
(curriculum) or course of study to be followed in teaching students in the polytechnic.
Acourseofstudyisaguidewhichdescribes,inwiderterms,thecomponentofa subjecttobetaughttothestudentsorgroupofstudentsinanacademicinstitutionoflearning toenablethemacquireskillsorknowledgeinaparticularfieldofstudy.Forthisstudy,course ofstudy isdefinedasacurriculumthatdescribestotallearningexperiencedesigned tobedeliveredtostudentsinpolytechnicsto enable them acquireadequateskills inpowdermetallurgytechnology. Fora well-designed courseofstudyto
produceintendedresults,theremustbe w e l l -articulatedinstructionalobjectivestoguide theprocess.
Instructionalobjectivesaretheintendedlearning outcomes,withregardto students’performanceat theend of a lecture. It is aimed at determining how much the students have learnt. Inthe contextofthisstudy, instructionalobjectives aredefinedas presetlearningoutcomes in termsofskillsandknowledge,thatstudentsinpolytechnicsare expectedtopossessupon completionofcourseofstudyonpowdermetallurgy technology.AccordingtoNe-Gronlund(2014)itisthecontentofasubject curriculumthatactually determineshoweffectiveandefficientaninstructionalobjectivewill bewellattainedduringand afterlearningexperience.
Thecontentofacurriculumisthetotallearning expectationsofthestudents. For the purpose of this study, content is defined as the holistic learningactivities in powdermetallurgytechnologycourseofstudythatstudentsinpolytechnicsarerequiredto learnbeforegraduationinmanufacturingengineeringoption.Thecontent, of the proposed course of studyonpowdermetallurgytechnology,forstudentsinthepolytechnicscanonly deliver therequiredknowledge;iftherearebasicinstructional resources.
Instructionalresources forpowdermetallurgy technology include the physicalteaching,and thetrainingmaterialsand equipmentrequired forstudentsandteachers use toenhancetheprocessofteaching andlearningof thepracticalconceptsofpowdermetallurgy technology.AccordingtoLanigan(1999)theappropriateness ofinstructional resources employedduringteachingand learningisaneffective aid to an interactivedeliverymethodofpowdermetallurgytechnology.
Deliverymethod comprises principlesand techniquesused for instruction. In the contextofthisstudy,deliverymethodsare instructionaltechniquesappliedtoteachingand learningprocesses,forthepurposeofimpartingthenecessaryknowledgeandskillsrelated to powdermetallurgy technology to polytechnicstudents.To ascertaintheprogress or successof
students in polytechnics,instructional procedures and otherinputschanneled towardsthestudy ofpowdermetallurgytechnologymustbeappropriatelyevaluated.
Evaluationtechniqueisamethodofvaluejudgmentfor anobject,situationand,or an intendingprogramoflearningprocessandproduct.For this study,the definition given bySilberman(2006) was most appropriate.Silberman (2006) notedthatevaluationisthe processof information gatheringandtreatment necessarytomakeadecisionfortheentireteachingandlearning outcomeonaparticularsubject.To effectively judge the value of any developed program, certain indices such as the targeted socio-demographic variables must be investigated to ascertain the level of gainful influence they have on the proposed population for the study.
Socio–demographicvariablesaregroups orsubjectsdescribedby itsorigin, development, and behavior in a segmented population characteristics. IntheviewofAdler,Epel,Castellazzo andIckovics(2006),demographiccharacteristicsinclude:age,gender,placeofresidence,
ethnicity,religion,educationallevel, employmentand marital status.Demographicvariables are whatmay possibly affecttheresponsesofthe respondent groups(manufacturingengineeringtechnology lecturers,powdermetallurgyindustrymanagers,andfinalyearHND students’ofthepart–time studiesofmanufacturingengineeringtechnologyoption)onthedevelopmentofpowder metallurgytechnologycourseofstudyfor studentsin polytechnics. These groups (stakeholders) were chosen as the respondents because the powdermetallurgyindustry managers willprovide the industrial practical knowledge and skills for the students.Thelecturers will teach thetheoriesandpracticesofmaterialsprocessing technology, while the final year students of the part–time program were selected because of preliminary knowledge on PM technology acquired in the National Diploma (ND) program, and on-the–job training courses in their respective industries. The theoretical frameworks in a study are capable of directing the subjects towards an intended procedure for adoption in development of a package by the researcher.
In order to ascertain the knowledge and skills level of students in the field of powder metallurgy technology, a preliminary investigation by oral interview was conducted by the
researcher using 120finalyearstudentsinregularadmissionofthemechanicalengineering technology; manufacturing option of NBTE-accredited polytechnicswithintheregion. The interview questions were centered on the proposed content scope of the course for the powder metallurgy technology. The findings of the investigation indicated that students of the polytechnics within this region lack adequate knowledge and skills on PM technology. The respondents testified that thetechnology wastaught with incompletelearning experiences (curriculum) and materials.
Statement of the Problem
Polytechnicinstitutionsareexpectedtoteachsaleableskillsinpowder metallurgy technology;whichisoneoftheleading fabricationtechniquesinmaterialformingandheat treatment offormed products. Regrettably, graduates from Nigerian polytechnic system lackadequate employablepracticalskillsandknowledgeforadvancementinthe fieldofpowdermetallurgytechnology.Thisproblemwasobservedwhenpolytechnicstudents aresenton industrial trainingand whengraduates are employed inpowder metallurgy industries. They cannotexecute given taskswithoutsupervisionanddirectionof anotherprofessional. This is because of lack oftechnical know-how as observed by Raymond (2014) in a study which investigated the performance level of polytechnic graduates in the industry.Corroborating thisfact with findings of the preliminary needs assessment for this studyChukuma (2013)reported that feedback from variouspowdermetallurgy industry practitioners in the polytechnics across Nigeriaindicates that Higher National Diploma (HND)graduates of themanufacturing engineering technology option do notpossess adequate skills in the field of powder metallurgytechnology. They require further intensive training engagingtheminfulltimeoperations.Thedeficienciesobserved in the graduates performance is asaresult ofadvancement inmaterials application and processingtechnology,whichhasgonebeyondtheconventionalmetalmeltingandcasting they arefamiliarwithinmetalformingandheattreatmentcurriculumtowhichpowder metallurgyis introducedjust as asingletopic.
Thepowdermetallurgypractitionersblamedthisincapacity on absenceofdetailed standaloneprogram onpowdermetallurgytechnologytoguidethelecturers, workshops/laboratory technologists and the students through theprocessofteaching, andlearning.Thescanty contentandinadequatepracticalorientationonpowdermetallurgy technology,ascontainedintheNigeriapolytechniccurriculumandmodulesspecifications formechanicalengineeringtechnology,manufacturingoption,asprovidedby theNational BoardforTechnicalEducation(NBTE)seemtocontributeto this skill gap toalargeextent.Thissituation hasledtopartialunemploymentofmanufacturingengineering technology graduatesofthe polytechnicsinthelabormarket.Thusitbecomespertinentto ask:whatguideshouldbe
developedtoassiststudentsaswellaslecturersinstudyingpowdermetallurgytechnology in thepolytechnics?
Anurgentsolutiontotheseproblemswillbetodevelopadetailedprogram on powdermetallurgy technology with adequateskillsandknowledgethat willbe usedasaguidetoteachpolytechnicstudentsrelevantpracticalskillsto enable them compete favorably with their counterparts around the world. Therefore, the problemthat thisstudyintends to tackle is that the NBTE curriculum forMechanical Engineering technology, manufacturing option does, not have a separate program on powder metallurgytechnology. It doesnotprovidestudentswithadequate
employablepracticalskillsandknowledge,ongeneralmaterialprocessingtechnologyto earn them fulltimejob in anypowdermetallurgyindustry.
Purposeof the Study
The purposeof this studywas development of powder metallurgy technology course of study for students in polytechnics in South–south Nigeria. Specifically,thestudysought to determine:
1. Instructional objectives for thepowdermetallurgytechnologyprogram.
2. Content forthepowdermetallurgytechnologyprogram.
3. Instructionalresourcesforthepowdermetallurgy technologyprogram.
4. Deliverymethodsforthepowdermetallurgytechnologyprogram.
5. Evaluation techniquesfor thepowdermetallurgytechnologyprogram.
6. Validity of the developedprogram.
Research Questions
The followingresearchquestions wereformulatedto guidethestud y:
1. Whataretheappropriateinstructionalobjectivesforpowdermetallurgytechnology program?
2. Whatisthe appropriate contentforpowdermetallurgytechnologyprogram?
3. What are the appropriateinstructional resourcesfor powdermetallurgytechnologyprogram?
4. Whatarethe appropriate deliverymethodsforpowdermetallurgy technologyprogram?
5. What arethe appropriateevaluation techniques for the powder metallurgy technologyprogram?
6. What are the comments of the validates on the developedpowdermetallurgy technology program?
Hypotheses
Five null hypothesesformulated to guidethe studyweretested at 0.05 level ofsignificance.
HO1: There is no significant difference in mean ratings of part-time students, lecturers, and Managers on appropriateinstructionalobjectivesforpowdermetallurgytechnologycourseof studywhenanalyzedaccordingto the respondent groupings.
Ho2: There is no significant difference in the mean responses of part-time students, lecturers,
and managerson appropriate content for the powder metallurgytechnologyprogram when analyzedaccording toage.
HO3: There is no significant difference in the meanresponses of part-time students, lecturers, and managers on appropriate instructionalresourcesfor the powder metallurgy technologyprogram whenanalyzedaccordingto educational qualifications.
HO4: Thereisno significantdifferenceinthemeanresponsesofpart-time students, lecturers, and managers on appropriatedelivery methodsforthepowdermetallurgy technologyprogram whenanalyzedaccording to work experience.
HO5: Thereisno significantdifferenceinthemeanresponsesofthe male and female respondents on appropriate evaluation techniques for thepowder metallurgytechnologyprogram.
Significanceofthe Study
Theresultsofthestudy willbebeneficialtoautomobile manufacturingindustries,newand oldemployees of powdermetallurgyindustries, Lecturers and studentsofmanufacturing engineeringtechnology,NBTEcurriculumplanners,FederalMinistryofEducation,people ofsouth– south region ofNigeria, future research and societyin general.
Findingsfromthisstudywillbeofbenefittoautomobilemanufacturing industries.Thisis because the knowledge and skills gained from the developed package by graduates of manufacturing engineering technology from the Polytechnics will be applied mostly in auto– manufacturing industries. With this, procedural mistakes and costly errors in production operations in powder metallurgy will be eliminated, thereby increasing the chances of profit making margin for the industry.
Apart from automobile manufacturing industries, the developed program will be of benefit to powder metallurgy industries, because the subject content of the program documents step–by– step related skills in all aspects of powder metallurgy (powder production, pressing, sintering secondary finishing operations and powder and compacts characterization) which could
be adopted as a standardized job description to be followed in sequence by all staff in production operations for improvedworkefficiency.
Also, the developed package can serve as a training (resource) material for powder metallurgy industry training facilitators because a simple and clear self-instructional objectives, content, materials, method and evaluation criteria have been developed as procedures and process to be followed in the manufacture of automobile–parts and any other related material. The auto manufacturing industries can access the knowledge and skills in this course of study by meaningful engagement of polytechnic HND holders of manufacturing engineering technology that have been trained through this developed package.
The study will be useful to lecturers inpolytechnics and other related Vocational and Technical institutions and instructors who specialize in production engineering technology. ManylecturersandinstructorsteachingMetal Forming and Heat Treatment processes in Nigerianpolytechnicsarenottrainedin modernpowdermetallurgypracticesand processes.So,theseinstructorshavelittleorno knowledgeofpowdermetallurgy technology toequip thestudentswith the requisite skills that will enablethemfit into competitivegloballabormarkets. The use of the developed package by the lecturers and instructors as an instructional guide in the process of teaching and learning of manufacturing engineering option in polytechnics will enhance effective and efficient teaching of powder metallurgy technology. Theinformationrelated tothiscourseofstudy will get totheinstructorsand lecturersthroughthe process of teaching the subject content of the manufacturing engineering technology curriculum for thepolytechnic.
The study willbe of great benefit to manufacturing engineering technologystudents in the polytechnics because the content of the developed program is simple and it encompasses all aspects of the technology. It will therefore facilitate student’s accesstoquick knowledge and skills transfer,comprehension, and assimilationduringclassroomlearningand practical sessions. With this the students will be better equipped forglobal competitiveness in powdermetallurgytechnologypractices.
The findings of this study will be beneficial to Vocational andTechnical Educationcurriculumplanners,mostespecially National Board forTechnical Education (NBTE),intermsofpolicy development, implementation and modification forMechanical Engineering technology curriculum, manufacturingoption. The adoption of the findingsof this studywill broaden the knowledge and skills content for a holistic and modern manufacturing technology practices of Polytechnic education.The NBTE will access information onthiscourseofstudy by collaborating withtheinstitutiontowhichthisresearchisdomiciled and the researcher on consultation basis.
The Federal Government through relevant agencies will benefit on the findings of the study in terms of students and material, facilities, equipment, and toolsneeds ratio requirements for settingupa powder metallurgytrainingprograms,centers and course development forpolytechnic students.
ThepeopleofSouth–SouthregionofNigeria:Edo,Rivers,Akwa–Ibom,Delta, CrossRiver, and Bayelsa states that are endowed with several untappednaturalresources as mentionedinthebackgroundofthisstudywillbenefit immenselyfromthestudy.For instance,thepeopleoftheregionare involved inlocalindustrialization,where privateindustries engageinthecrushing ofthesesolidrawmaterialstofinepowderforthemanufacture of productslikevim,brake pads,tile, facepowders,animalfeeds,and soaps,amongothers. Themanufacturingoperationsusedinconverting thebulkrawmaterialsintofinepowder particles,thensubsequently intoproducts,arepowdermetallurgyprocesses.Thefindingsof thestudywill reveal more efficient and effective ways of powder manufacturing and processing which can be adopted for the purpose of strengtheningandencouragingtheseindustrieswithintheregion. Theinformationcontainedinthiscourseofstudywillreachthe peopleoftheregionthroughperiodicseminars,andtrainingworkshopswhere participantswillbetrainedontheprinciplesofpowdermetallurgy technology.Again,the people of the
region can be trainedby the graduates of the Polytechnicsthrough direct application of thetechnology onprivate ventures as a means of livelihood.
The knowledge and skills acquired by Polytechnic students through the developed powder metallurgy technology program will enable them secure job in both local and international markets. Hence, the findings of this study will help in tackling the challenges of youths’ unemployment which is often associated with lack of skills. This will in turn reduce the number of dependent youths and also check crimes in society.
This studywill benefit society, since the main purposes of powder metallurgy technologyare purely to fabricate intricate parts of machine that are; cost effectivewithminimized resources wastage. This means that, the findings of thestudy will go a long way in addressing problems ofexpensive, inaccurate, defective and unreliableauto- partsmanufacturedandbroughttothemarket.Apart
fromthat,thistechnologywillequallybeusedinsolvingsome publichealthrisks.For instance,theautobrakepadswhichisnowfound to behazardousbecauseofthepresenceof asbestosdust,isnowbeingreplacedwithlocalmaterialsthroughtheprocessesandprinciples ofpowdermetallurgytechnology.Thegeneralpublic willbeinformedby directapplication ofthetechnologyformanufactureofproductsthataffectsthemdirectlybythegraduatesof
thepolytechnics.Periodicseminarsandtrainingworkshopswhere peoplearetrainedonthe principlesoftechnologycouldalsobeasourceofinformation tothegeneral public.
Thefindingsofthisstudy willbeofgreatbenefittofutureresearchersasinformation gathered from the study will form basis for further studies on powder metallurgy technology. Researcherscan access informationon thiswork oncompletion through internet andUniversityofNigeria, Nsukkalibrary.
ScopeoftheStudy
This study was delimited to the development of programon powder metallurgy technology that has five topics as its subject content for the entire program in the following
order: powder manufacture, powder preparation processes, sintering, secondary finishing operations, and powder and powder compacts characterization. Instructional objectives, content, materials/equipment/tools, delivery methods, and evaluation techniques was determined for each of the selected topics that constituted the developed program.
ThestudycoveredallthesixstatesofSouth–Southgeographicalzones ofNigeria,namely: Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River,Edo,Delta,and Bayelsastate respectively. This geographical area has eighteen NBTE accredited polytechnics and associate institutions, and Seventy Nine identified registered powder metallurgy industries as at the period of this report. But only four polytechnics (Auchi polytechnic, Delta State polytechnic, Rivers State polytechnic, and Petroleum Training Institute, Delta State) offer courses in Manufacturing Engineering technology that was covered and all the identified powder metallurgy industries within the zone were captured.
This material content is developed to serve as a GUIDE for students to conduct academic research
DEVELOPMENT OF POWDER METALLURGY TECHNOLOGY COURSE OF STUDY FOR STUDENTS IN POLYTECHNICS IN SOUTH – SOUTH NIGERIA
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