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SIWES
The Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a Skill Training Programme designed to prepare and expose students of the University to the industrial work situation they are likely to meet after graduation. The need for the establishment of the scheme aroused when there was a growing concern among industrialists that graduates of institutions of higher learning lacked adequate practical background required for employment in industries. Thus, the employers were of the opinion that the theoretical education in higher institutions was not responsive to the needs of employers of labour.
In line with the foregoing, SIWES programme was designed to complement classroom teaching in the course of studies and to acquaint students with the skills needed in the industries after graduation. Students on agriculture programme are attached to farms in the University while students on forestry, science and engineering programmes are attached to industries and relevant establishments for duration of six months within the period of their degree programmes. The programme carries a number of credit units in the University curriculum.
The scheme is funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria and jointly coordinated by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
Before the establishment of the Unit, SIWES Committee had been responsible for all matters relating to SIWES and other aspects of students Industrial Training. However, the SIWES Unit of this University was established in August, 1997 with the responsibility of handling all SIWES matters for the institution.
In line with NUC and ITF requirements, the Unit was upgraded to a Directorate in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office in August 2001. This was to enable the Unit cope with greater challenges of SIWES operations.
PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES
The philosophy of the SIWES Directorate is to ensure the proper training of the University students in preparing them for the world of industrial work.
The Objectives are:
• To provide an avenue for students in the University to acquire industrial skills and experience in their course of study;
• To prepare students for the work situation they are to meet after graduation.
• To expose students to work methods and techniques in handling equipment and machinery that may not be available in their institutions.
• To make the transition from school to the world of work easier, and enhance students’ contacts for later job placement.
• To provide students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge in real work situation, thereby bridging the gap between theory and practice.
• To enlist and strengthen employers involvement in the entire educational process of preparing university graduates for employment in industry.