FUE Pankshin Hosts Regional SIWES Directors Meeting, Partners with ITF on Digital Automation and Entrepreneurship

The Federal University of Education Pankshin has hosted the 2026 second (2nd) quarterly Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) Directors/ Coordinators meeting held at the Library Board Room of the Institution.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Education Pankshin Prof. Noel Wannang commended the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and SIWES for their role in training students which he described as indisputable.

Prof. Wannang acknowledged the role of SIWES which has always been a source of close gap between the theory and the practicals to make students employable and better workers, providing students with a platform to apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations and operations.

He said the opportunity for Entrepreneurship is indeed a welcome development and the Federal University of Education Pankshin is whole heartedly ready for such collaborations to make graduates more competitive in the labour market by giving them verifiable practical experience.

Also, speaking on behalf of the Director General of the Industrial Training Fund ( ITF) Dr. Afiz Ogun and the Area Manager ITF Jos Area Office Engr. Mrs. Mary Igbur, the Head of Training, Jos Area Office Mrs. Bolanle Yusuf appreciated the Vice Chancellor for his leadership and support.

She said the meeting was convened to strengthen collaboration among Institutions within the zone, brainstorm on activities of SIWES on the Plateau, challenges faced and possible solutions to tackle them.

The Head of Training at the ITF Jos Area Office Mrs. Bolanle Yusuf stated that the SIWES programme funded by the Federal Government and administered by the ITF across the Federation has now been automated hence the need to enlighten SIWES Directors/ Coordinators on the series of automation programmes organised by the Fund.

While appreciating the cordial and robust relationships between the ITF and the Administrative Unit of SIWES at the Federal University of Education Pankshin she commended the Institutions SIWES Officer Mr. Edward Danladi for perfectly coordinating SIWES activities.

She further informed the Vice Chancellor that the ITF is presently focusing on Entrepreneurship and Youth development with reference to the Skill- Up Artisans (SUPA) programme; a flagship initiative aimed at upskilling, certifying and licensing millions of Nigerian artisans to boost employability and productivity.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, Director of SIWES at the Federal University of Education Pankshin Dr. Adenike Odewumi while appreciating the Vice Chancellor for his support in hosting the 2026 second (2nd) quarterly SIWES Directors and Coordinators gathering said the meeting underscored the importance of networking among SIWES stakeholders to strategize and prepare students for real-world experience.

In a vote of thanks, Registrar of the Federal University of Education Pankshin Mr. Longtong Yadok on behalf of the University Management appreciated the SIWES team and ITF for the partnership and wished participants a fruitful and productive engagement.

The meeting later went into a technical session on improving SIWES activities among Institutions on the Plateau to enhance the effectiveness of the programme. During the session awards were presented to Coordinators from different Institutions for their outstanding performance.