ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Vice Chancellor of Babcock University, Professor Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole, has underscored the importance of internship and industrial training in Nigeria’s education system, describing the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) as a vital link between academic learning and practical workplace experience.
Ojewole made the remarks at the 2nd Quarter Zonal Supervisory Meeting of SIWES participating institutions in Ogun State, where he stressed that industrial training equips students with hands-on skills, improves employability and prepares graduates to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Represented by the Associate Vice President, Academic Planning, Professor Oludele Awodele, the Vice Chancellor said structured industrial exposure had become indispensable in an increasingly competitive global economy.
“In today’s competitive global economy, no academic programme is complete without structured industrial exposure,” he said.
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According to him, Babcock University has continued to strengthen its industrial training programme through expanded partnerships with reputable organisations, improved student placement processes and enhanced preparation for students before deployment.
He added that the institution had also invested in pre-internship training, mentorship programmes and monitoring mechanisms to ensure students gain maximum value from their industrial attachments.
Ojewole urged SIWES directors and coordinators to remain committed to maintaining quality standards, noting that effective supervision, proper documentation, timely evaluation and adherence to operational guidelines were essential to the programme’s credibility.
“The credibility of SIWES depends largely on effective supervision, proper documentation, timely evaluation, and strict adherence to operational guidelines. We must collectively ensure that students are placed in relevant organisations where meaningful learning can take place, rather than mere fulfilment of requirements,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor also commended the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for its continued support and regulatory oversight of the programme.
“Your efforts in providing policy direction, training support, and institutional coordination have remained invaluable to the success of industrial training in Nigeria. We acknowledge your commitment and partnership in strengthening graduate employability,” he stated.
He further encouraged participants to ensure that resolutions reached at the meeting translate into improved learning experiences for students and stronger collaboration between academia and industry.
Earlier, the Senior Vice President, Academic Administration, Professor Jonathan Nwosu, welcomed participants and appreciated the ITF for creating opportunities that expose students to practical workplace realities.
“Babcock is committing everything to make sure we do not have any gap in any requirement to make sure our students get the best as they can get,” he said.
In her response, the Ogun State Area Manager of the Industrial Training Fund, Mrs. Bolanle, expressed appreciation to Babcock University for hosting the meeting and commended the institution’s commitment to the SIWES programme.
She explained that the gathering of coordinators from tertiary institutions across Ogun State was aimed at reviewing challenges, developing strategies and identifying solutions to improve the implementation of SIWES.