The Vice Chancellor If The Federal University Of Technology Akure, FUTA,Prof Adenike Oladiji has enjoined all 400 Level students of the institution going for the compulsory Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme SIWES ,to take advantage of the program by getting exposed to practical knowledge that will help them build on the theory they acquired in their various fields of study in the university.
The Vice Chancellor stated this at the 2026 SIWES Orientation Program organized by the institution’s industrial Training Unit for 400 level on Wednesday April 8,2026 students as they prepare to go for their industrial experience programme.
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The Vice Chancellor who was represented by the institution’s Librarian, Dr Robert Awoyemi stressed that FUTA appreciates SIWES and continues to support efforts to achieve success in all efforts geared at improving on its activities to equip students with industry skills. The Vice Chancellor stressed that SIWES must not be seen as a holiday job but an opportunity to learn the practical aspect of what they have learnt in the university in the last four years. Prof Oladiji also warned that appropriate measure will be meted out to students found wanting during the SIWES program as she enjoined them to be good ambassadors of the university
In her own address, the Head Of Training ITF Area Office Akure ,Mrs. Grace Ajagbe clarified that university students go for Students Industrial Work Experience SIWES and not Industrial Training which is peculiar to polytechnic students. According to her the objective is to expose them to industry work in order to fill the gap between theory and practical skills.
Ajagbe therefore enjoined them to make use of the 6 month opportunity to acquire necessary skills which will afford them the privilege of learning employer and employee relationship, different from the students/ lecturer relationship they have been used to in the higher institution.
She appreciated FUTA management for the support to the university ITU unit which has made the unit achieve success in all its activities.
Earlier in his welcome address , The Deputy Director Industrial Training Unit ,ITU FUTA Mr. Josiah Oluwalaanu charged students to remain devoted and dedicated to learning during the 6 month experience just like many students have performed exceedingly well in the past thereby carving a niche for themselves. He equally appreciated the management of the institution and departmental coordinators for their roles and continued support to the universities SIWES program in order to ensure that industrial training achieves the aim for which it was established by the federal government.
At the event Mr. Adedeji Fabamise of ITF Akure area office delivered a lecture on “Introduction To SIWES “in which he made the students to realize that the federal government provides adequate funds for the ITF for SIWES through the Federal Ministry of Industries ,Trade and Investment from which they also get paid after successful completion of the program.
Fabamise pointed out that it is the responsibility of employers to accept students for industrial attachment, establish SIWES coordination units and provide adequate resources for the units as specified in the SIWES guidelines. He admonished students to adhere strictly to rules and regulations of the organization they will have their SIWES experience as this could open future door of employment for them
Fabamise said “SIWES is designed expose students to skills and experience in your course of study, expose students to industrial work situation, establish students to employers relationship, Avenue to get a job for students who are hardworking..”
In her own lecture ,Head Of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management ,FUTA Professor Oyeleke affirmed that SIWES provides exposure to real world challenges and plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between class work and practical experience at workplace. She further pointed out that SIWES also modifies students attitude towards work and enhances students technical competence as well as instilling emotional resilience and professional readiness in them.
According to her some challenges which students could experience include” lack of communication, poor work life balance and inadequate training resources. ”
Irrespective of this setbacks Prof Oyeleke charged them to give their employers a better understanding of their potentials as well as to showcase their extracurricular activities by volunteering to help when the need arises as these stand them out and place them at an advantage when they have course to return to such an organization perhaps seeking employment.
On his part Mr. Olamide Olorunfemi, Training Development Officer ,ITF Akure Area Office spoke on “Introduction Of SIWES Working Documents. During the lecture, he explained to the students all they need to know in filling their” Log Books” properly and necessary details that could spare them of delays in their course work due to SIWES as well as what they need to do to claim their allowance after the SIWES experience.
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