SIWES will help you develop capacity to solve societal problems, VC tells students

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar,  Prof. Florence Obi has told students on industrial attachment in the institution that the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) will help them develop capacity to the extent of  being able to solve societal problems, Myschoolnews report.

Prof. Obi stated this while declaring open the 2021/2022 SIWES orientation seminar held at the Institution's International Conference Center With the theme: "Strategic Plans To Reposition Students for Future Practical Live and Relevance".

Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Eno Grace Nta, the University administrator said the exposure of students to key areas in practical- based innovation will aid them to be creative in thinking and proactive in solving societal problems.

She mentioned that the world needs critical thinkers and problem solvers,  adding that,  every knowledge one acquires or builds on remains.

While urging participants to be attentive to the seminar presentations, Prof. Obi said, "Allow yourself to pass through the training. You must develop the right attitude and say to yourself, it is an opportunity for me for. No knowledge is lost. I may not need it today, but one day, that knowledge will become the most relevant and useful skills that I have ever acquired".

Prof. Obi who described SIWES as a platform for opportunities, stressed that, students involved in the SIWES program should consolidate on the gains the seminar presentation offers. 

She said with the increased population and few establishments to engage the teeming unemployed graduates, there is a need for students to adopt practical- based skills in their academic endeavours.

This is even as she thanked the Director, members of the Directorate and ITF, as well as, captains of industries for putting up the orientation seminar for the students.

Earlier, the Director of SIWES, Prof. Imo Obot said the purpose of the orientation was to upgrade students' knowledge in areas where they can create jobs for themselves.

According to him, “employability without the capability for problem-solving becomes an abstract object that is not relevant to society”.

While appreciating the Vice Chancellor for her support towards the running of the SIWES programme, he said her administration has given SIWES all the encouragement needed to enable it meet the required standards of the Government.

Prof. Obot who charged the students to take advantage of the experience domiciled in the SIWES programme noted that one's existence in life is not complete until it translates to helping the society to solve her problems.

This is even as he thanked the Federal Government through the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for the initiative to train students in higher Institutions of learning to be self-reliant through the SIWES scheme.

He said though education is a means for self-realization, self-development and identification, the practical aspect that brings capacity building must be emphasized and encouraged. 

The event which also featured paper presentations from Senior officials/ Executives of the Industrial Training Fund(ITF ) and some Captains of the industries, has as highlight, an exhibition by the Department of Fine and Applied Arts and the Faculty of Engineering and Technology.