Industrial Training Fund Statutory Meeting Holds in FUTA

Industrial Training Fund ITF Statutory Meeting Holds in FUTA, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Deji Ogunsemi promised that the harmonious working relationship between FUTA and ITF Akure Area Office developed through the University Industrial Training Unit would be sustained. 

INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND STATUTORY MEETING HOLDS  IN FUTA 

The Area Manager, Industrial Training Fund, ITF, Ondo and Ekiti States, Mr. Gabriel Oladimeji has called for further compliance with the regulations of ITF as a way of supporting the programme towards the training of young people for future leadership roles. Speaking at the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA during the just concluded zonal statutory quarterly meeting of Students' Industrial Work Scheme (SIWES) Directors/Co-coordinators of the zone for the first quarter of 2023, being supervised by ITF Area Office, the Area Manager congratulated the University for always setting the pace and leading the pack. He intimated the Vice-Chancellor that the meeting holds quarterly on zonal basis with a view to brainstorming and sharing ideas with other SIWES Directors/coordinators on the development of SIWES curriculum and related issues. He also said that the resolve of every meeting was communicated to the Committee of Vice-Chancellors through the National Universities Commission for further deliberation and onward processing.

Describing SIWES as important to the making of well-rounded students, the Area Manager urged the University to engage in more effective supervision of students while on attachment under the scheme to get the best from them. He thanked the University Management for the support ITF Akure Area Office had enjoyed so far and emphasized the need for additional staffing and deployment of functional equipment to meet teeming student needs and cater to the forthcoming professional accreditation which he hinted happens once in 5 or 6 years. 

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Deji Ogunsemi  promised that the  harmonious working relationship between FUTA and ITF Akure Area Office developed through the University Industrial Training Unit would be sustained. She said "I appreciate your cooperation and contributions towards the success of SIWES in our University". The Vice Chancellor was delighted to play host to the Forum and noted that the meeting was a laudable idea as it was an opportunity to chart a course for advancement, bringing all tertiary Institutions and improving on the SIWES scheme. She stressed that educational Institutions being centers of production of skilled manpower for national development needed to remain in fruitful partnership with SIWES to achieve the Federal Government policy of bridging the gap between the theoretical training in educational institutions and practical applications in industries. 

She also noted that SIWES as a practical industrial skill acquisition programme has contributed greatly to the quality of graduates produced from Nigeria's tertiary institutions since its inception in 1973. She emphasized that SIWES had opened windows of job opportunities for many students. She said the University will remain committed to providing all the required facilities and support for the University's Directorate of Industrial Training for effective service delivery of its mandate.

In a brief remark, the Chairman, Industrial Training Committee, FUTA, Professor Oyetunji thanked the duo of the University Management and ITF for a healthy and steady partnership over time. He said the University will continue to work with the Zonal Office and the head Office in Jos to further encourage and mobilize students and supervisors to the field.

The coordinator, ITU FUTA, Mr. Josiah Oluwalaanu, in his address told the gathering that the SIWES Forum had been in existence for decades and was aimed at sharing old ideas, learning new ideas, festering friendships and institutional relationships and networking. He extended courtesy to the Vice Chancellor for her passion to sustain relationships with other Institutions, and added that ITF Area Office Akure had contributed immensely to the growth of FUTA SIWES in more ways than perceived.

Other members of the ITF Akure Area Office present at the meeting were Mrs. M. N. Ola-Adams, Head of Training, Mr. Olurunfemi Olamide, Training and Development Officer and Mr. Audu Christopher, SIWES Officer.