FUNAAB SIWES Unit Organises Industrial Training Orientation for 2025/2026 Batch B Students

The Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), on January 27, 2026, organised an Orientation Programme for 2025/2026 Batch B students ahead of their Industrial Training exercise.

The programme, organised in collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), brought together students from the College of Environmental Resources Management (COLERM), College of Engineering (COLENG), College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC), College of Biosciences (COLBIOS), College of Physical Sciences (COLPHYS), and the College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD).

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olusegun Idowu, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to producing skilled, industry-ready graduates. He described SIWES as a critical national programme designed to bridge the gap between classroom-based theoretical knowledge and real-world industrial practice.

Prof. Idowu conveyed the Vice-Chancellor’s appreciation to Deans, Directors, Departmental SIWES Coordinators, and other stakeholders for their sustained support of the scheme. He urged participating students to maximise the opportunity, noting that their involvement in the programme was made possible through the sacrifices of their parents and guardians.

According to him, SIWES equips students with essential technical competencies, enhances problem-solving and communication skills, and instils professional ethics and workplace culture required for success in their chosen careers.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the Director of SIWES, Prof. Oluwatoyin Afolabi, commended the Vice-Chancellor, the ITF, and industry-based supervisors for their collaborative efforts in providing meaningful industrial exposure for students. She explained that SIWES is a strategic skills acquisition initiative aimed at preparing students of tertiary institutions for the demands of the post-graduation work environment.

Tracing the origin of SIWES to 1973, Prof. Afolabi noted that the scheme was established by the ITF in response to employers’ concerns about graduates’ inadequate practical experience. She added that SIWES enables students to work with industry-standard equipment, facilitates a smoother transition into the labour market, and promotes active employer participation in grooming future professionals.

Speaking on behalf of the ITF Abeokuta Area Manager, Mrs. Bolanle Ajibade, the Head of Training, Engr. Gabriel Ntak, expressed appreciation to FUNAAB Management for the sustained partnership. He reiterated ITF’s commitment to narrowing the gap between theory and practice in order to produce graduates who are both academically sound and industry-relevant.

Engr. Ntak congratulated the students on reaching an important academic milestone, stressing that SIWES should be viewed as a foundation for professional development rather than a mere graduation requirement.

The orientation programme also featured technical sessions during which students were advised to conduct themselves responsibly and adhere strictly to the rules, regulations, and professional standards of their host organisations.

Dignitaries present at the event included the Dean, COLAMRUD, Prof. Emmanuel Fakoya; the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Festus Adeosun; the Director, Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR), Prof. Kazeem Bello; the Director, Community-Based Farming Scheme (COBFAS), Prof. Dare Akerele; as well as representatives of the Chief Security Officer and the Director of Health Services, among others.