The University Management has reiterated its commitment to the training, empowerment, acquisition of skills and competencies needed by its students, to face the future. The assurance was given by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Morenike Dipeolu and Chairman, Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) Committee during the 2019 SIWES orientation programme for non-agriculture students.
Prof. Dipeolu implored the participating students to use the opportunity of the industrial training, to learn and be motivated, not only to achieve the objectives of SIWES but also to establish strong and lasting relationships towards a fulfilling career in future. She advised students to be good representatives of the University in any organisation they found themselves, urging them to always interface with the SIWES office when confronted with challenges.
In her presentation titled, “History of SIWES and the Roles of Stakeholders”, the Area Manager, Industrial Training Fund, Abeokuta, Mrs. ‘Funmi Coker listed the objectives of SIWES to include the acquisition of industrial skills by students; exposure of students to work methods, ethics and techniques of handling expensive and sensitive equipment and machinery, not readily available in higher institutions of learning; enhancement of students’ network for job placement post-graduation; and smooth transition from school to the world of work and career. Other objectives mentioned by Mrs. Coker are bridging the gap between theories learnt in schools and practice in real work situation; as well as enlisting and strengthening employers’ involvement in the nation’s educational system with a view to enhancing the country’s resource base.
While commending the University for its compliance to SIWES directives, the Area Manager advised the students to take the scheme seriously and participate with the whole of their hearts. Mrs. Coker said students on SIWES were expected to be regular and punctual at their places of assignment, they should not impersonate, always take permission when need arose, dress moderately and officially, and be confidential. The Director, SIWES of the University, Prof. Francisca George, appreciated University Management for the support and cooperation given to her office at ensuring the smooth operations of its mandate. She emphasised that the programme was organised to train, educate and equip students to be good ambassadors of the University.
The Dean, Student Affairs, Professor Adewale Idowu, who was represented at the orientation by the Student Affairs’ Officer, Mr. Samson Adeniran, charged the students to abide by the rules and regulations governing the exercise. The Director, Health Services, Dr. Abiodun Amusan, stressed the need for students to ensure they live healthy life, even when outside the campus. He advised them to visit the nearest National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) accredited health facility with their student identification cards when in need of medical attention. The students were taken through the process of filling necessary forms and logbooks. A total of 1,286 students from 28 departments in the College of Biosciences (COLBIOS), College of Environmental Resources Management (COLERM), College of Engineering (COLENG), College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC), College of Physical Sciences (COLPHYS) and College of Veterinary Medicine (COLVET), participated in the programme.
