Abuja: The Vice-Chancellor of Bingham University, Prof. Haruna Ayuba, has emphasised the importance of effective supervision and mentorship in ensuring the success of the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES). Ayuba stated this on Thursday during a capacity-building training programme for departmental SIWES coordinators organised by the university’s SIWES Directorate in Karu. The training, titled ‘Transforming SIWES: Building Capacity, Strengthening Foundations for Enhanced Performance,’ was designed to enhance the effectiveness of SIWES administration and implementation in the institution.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the vice-chancellor highlighted that effective supervision and mentorship are integral to ensuring students achieve their learning objectives during industrial attachment. He explained that the programme aligns with the university’s commitment to producing competent, industry-ready graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to national development. ‘SIWES has remained
a vital component of our students’ academic journey, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical industry experience,’ Ayuba remarked. This gathering aims to reinforce that vital link by equipping participating staff and stakeholders with the skills, knowledge, and innovative approaches needed to enhance the scheme’s impact.
Ayuba pointed out that transforming SIWES at Bingham University requires a collective effort to build capacity at all levels. He noted that the university continues to support SIWES operations through staff training and collaboration with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). ‘We have supported the Director of SIWES to participate in various trainings, while officials of the ITF Lafia Area Office have visited the university to sensitise staff and students. Today, we have brought together participating staff for further training because we believe that strengthening their capacity will ultimately empower our students to become change agents in their respective fields,’ Ayub
a stated.
The vice-chancellor explained that the training had been carefully structured to address critical aspects of effective SIWES administration and implementation. He urged participants to maximise the opportunity for learning, networking, and exchange of ideas, describing the programme as a strategic step towards transforming the university’s industrial training scheme into a model of excellence. Ayuba commended the Director of the SIWES Directorate, Dr Joyce Ishegbe, and her team for organising the training, as well as the resource persons for sharing their expertise. ‘Together, let us work towards transforming SIWES into a formidable tool for capacity building, innovation, and sustainable development,’ he concluded.
Earlier, Dr Joyce Ishegbe stated that the event marked a significant step in the university’s collective commitment to strengthening the administration of SIWES. She noted that the theme was carefully chosen because SIWES is not merely a graduation requirement but a statutory bridge bet
ween academia and industry, mandated by the ITF and the National Universities Commission (NUC). ‘The quality of our graduates’ practical skills, the integrity of our records, and the reputation of Bingham University before regulators depend heavily on our deans, heads of departments, and departmental coordinators. They are the frontline officers who interface with industry, mentor our students, and safeguard the data that determines their future,’ she explained.
Ishegbe highlighted observed gaps, including missing data, delayed submissions, unsubmitted logbooks, weak industry linkages, and informal handovers that erode institutional memory. The training and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) launched during the event were designed to address these challenges. Participants would be equipped with practical tools for SIWES digitalisation, effective communication, proper documentation and assessment for ITF and NUC compliance, strategies for industry engagement, and clear handover procedures for preserving s
tudent records. She urged participants to actively engage in discussions and share experiences, emphasising that the success of SIWES at Bingham University depended on teamwork and coordination.
Mrs Na’anpoe Shwatshak, Head of Training at the ITF Lafia Area Office, described the scheme as a skills development programme designed to expose students to industrial work methods and equipment. She stated that the success of the scheme depended on three key pillars: accurate record-keeping, timely reporting, and fair evaluation. According to her, students should maintain daily logbooks detailing activities performed, equipment and tools used, skills acquired, challenges encountered, as well as supervisors’ comments and signatures. ‘Document everything. Records are your evidence, reports are your voice, and evaluation is your integrity,’ she advised.
Dr Ibrahim Ewa, Director of SIWES at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, presented a paper on ‘Conflict Resolution Strategies for SIWES-Related Challenges in Universitie
s and Industries,’ describing conflict as a struggle over valuable rights, power, and scarce resources. He urged coordinators to communicate early, document all processes, and separate individuals from problems, noting that many SIWES disputes arise because expectations are not clearly documented.
Dr Gabriel Anyanwu, Director of the Advancement Office and Head of the Department of Biochemistry, spoke on ‘Managing Student Supervision and Feedback for Optimal Performance.’ He noted that effective SIWES supervision required collaboration among institutions, employers, and students, and optimal performance can be achieved through structured orientation, continuous supervision, and actionable feedback that bridges the gap between classroom learning and workplace realities. He advised institutions to organise mandatory orientation programmes to educate students on SIWES objectives, workplace ethics, and documentation requirements, including logbook entries and submission of SIWES forms, while stressing the need to
ensure that students possess all relevant SIWES materials.