- Professor Oladiji said “to our 400 level students, I wish to impress it on you that SIWES is not a holiday job, but compulsory continuation of your academic training in industries relevant to your course of study.”
*Photo: Some Nigerian students at a lecture*
The importance of the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) to future career development of graduates has been reechoed at an orientation organized for 400 level students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA. The orientation is to serve as a guide to the 2,890 students mandated to spend six months outside the classroom to garner skills and practical experiences to position them for the future.
Declaring the programme open at the Obafemi Awolowo auditorium on Thursday, 6th June, 2024, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Professor Taiwo Amos said “SIWES’s purpose is to produce competent indigenous manpower, it is no doubt critical to the career development of graduates from our tertiary institutions and their performance in the industries.
The Federal University of Technology, Akure attaches much importance to SIWES as a national policy and all efforts are being made to strengthen our Industrial Training Unit with a view to making it live up to the demands of the time.”
On the importance of the programme, the Vice Chancellor said, “educational institutions are training centres for production of skilled manpower for national development, while SIWES is a federal government policy aimed at bridging the gap between the theoretical training in the schools and the practical applications in the industries.”
Addressing the students, Professor Oladiji said “to our 400 level students, I wish to impress it on you that SIWES is not a holiday job, but compulsory continuation of your academic training in industries relevant to your course of study. As a trainee, you are an ambassador of FUTA and therefore expected to uphold the University’s values and abide by the rules and regulations of your employers. FUTA products are reputed for discipline and diligence, therefore, appropriate measures will be taken against any students found wanting during the SIWES. The University Management will ensure effective monitoring and supervision of all our students through the Industrial Training Unit across the states of the federation where they are engaged.”
Earlier in a welcome address, the Deputy Director, Industrial Training Unit, (ITU) FUTA, Mr. Josiah Oluwalaanu said through the activities of the ITU on SIWES in its over three decades of existence as a directorate in the university, FUTA has been recognized by the various industries and organizations in the country as a University that consistently sends out a crop of students who are not only disciplined, but also dedicated to work and eager to learn.
He added that “going by field reports, many students in the past on Industrial attachment have performed outstandingly as evidenced by the comments of the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of various organizations and industries. According to these reports, our students have brought ideas and innovations that have helped immensely in the growth and expansion of these industries.”
Stressing the relevance of SIWES to the future of the graduates, Mr. Oluwalaanu said “globally now, skill is the currency of the industrial world, academic degrees alone are no longer relevant. Skills are the new currency of the job market, and those who possess them are the ones most likely to survive. We are in for a paradigm shift from a degree focused education system only to skills-based education system.”
He appreciated the assistance and support received from the University Management under the watch of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Oladiji, the University Industrial Training Committee led by Professor Oyetunji and the ITF, Akure Area Office led by Alhaji Suleman Raufu.
In a keynote address, the Area Manager, Industrial Training Fund, Akure Area Office, Alhaji Suleman Rauf urged the students to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire as many skills as possible and methods of work within the period of the training. “Comport yourselves decently in your workplaces, obey constituted authority and observe all safety measures in the organization you find yourselves” he concluded.
Taking students through the orientation sessions, Head of Training, ITF Area Office, Akure, Mrs. Grace Ajagbe urged them to be dedicated to duty, loyal, punctual, honest, neatly dressed, work without complain and humble. She said the virtues and attitudes listed will help them to garner more experiences and build good relationship for the future.
Speaking on the expectations of the University from students during Industrial Training programme, the Dean, Students Affairs Division, Professor David Oke represented by the Sub Dean, Dr. Okewale Adeniyi admonished the students to report regularly and punctually to work, abide by rules of the organizations, participate in activities of the organizations, dress properly and neatly, fill their log books appropriately and be humble. He added that all above will build them for the challenges of the future and open doors of opportunities for them.
Lending a voice, the Chairperson ITU, FUTA Professor Oyetunji commended the University Management, ITU Staff, ITF Akure Area Office for organizing the orientation and counselled the students to adhere strictly to rules guarding the operations of the scheme.