SIWES

Ekiti State University - SIWES

Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES)

The Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) was initiated in 1973 by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).  It is a tripartite programme involving the students, the Universities and Industries.  It is funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria and jointly coordinated by the ITF and the National Universities Commission (NUC).  It is a skill training programme designed to expose and prepare students of tertiary Institutions for the industrial work situation they are likely to meet after graduation.  The scheme also affords the students the opportunity of familiarizing and exposing themselves to the needed experience in handling equipment and machinery.

PROFILE OF SIWES COORDINATOR

Dr. O. Adetan

EKSU-SIWES Coordinator

Oluwumi Adetan has been a Lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Ekiti State University (formerly known as the University of Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria) since 2000.  He bagged his Doctoral degree in Electronic Engineering from the prestigious University of KwaZulu-Natal, (UKZN), Durban, South Africa. His research interest is to study the effects of rain on microwave propagation and wireless communications systems. His Ph.D work was entitled: “Modeling of raindrop size distribution and critical diameters for rainfall attenuation over microwave links in southern Africa”.  He obtained his Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria in 2010. He is a registered member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), a registered member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE). Dr. Adetan been teaching and examining courses such as Communication principles, Power Electronics, Electronics circuits, Electromagnetic Waves and Circuits and Antenna Waves and Program in the University for over twenty (20) years.  He was the Acting Head of Department of Computer Engineering (2016-2018) and currently a Reader (Associate Professor) and the immediate past Ag. Head of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria between 2021 and July 31st 2023.  Dr. Adetan has published quality papers both in local and international journals. He has equally attended so many local and international conferences.  He has published many articles both in local and international journals.

He was appointed the University SIWES Coordinator by the Vice-chancellor, Professor Edward. O. Olanipekun on the 1st of August, 2023.

Brief History of the SIWES Unit

The Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) was established by Decree 47 of 1971. The scheme is an acceptable skills training acquisition programme that forms part of the approved minimum academic standards in the various (practical oriented degree programmes for all Nigerian Universities. The organization and operations of the SIWES at the Institutional level are vested in the University SIWES unit/Directorate under the office of the Dean of Engineering that supervises its activities on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor.

The scheme was established in 1987 at the then Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti, OSUA (now Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, EKSU) to essentially cater for the SIWES needs of Engineering students in the  three Departments (Civil, Electrical and Electronic and Mechanical Engineering) at that time. However, over the years the SIWES programme had expanded and it presently caters for students in the Faculties of Agricultural Sciences, Basic Medical Sciences, Education, Engineering, Management Science, Science, and the Social Sciences. Unlike when the scheme in the early years only catered for tens of students in the Faculty of Engineering, today it caters for over three thousand (3,000) students spread across about thirty (3) Departments.

In carrying out its assigned roles under the minimum national guide programme for supervised Industrial Training activities for approved SIWES course, the SIWES unit liaises with four other SIWES stakeholders namely, Industrial Training Funds (ITF), National Universities Commission (NUC), Employers and the students for effective and efficient operations.

A General Information on the Frame Work, Object, Schedule and Services of the Department

The organization of the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) involves many stakeholders as follows:, Federal Government, ITF(SIWES Division),  Supervisory/Regulatory Agencies i.e. NUC, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN) etc,  University and Student Trainees.  It is operated as a joint venture through the contributory activities of the stakeholders.

The objectives are:

  1. Provide an avenue for students in the Nigerian Universities to acquire industrial skills and experience in their course of study.
  2. Prepare students for work situations they are likely to meet after graduation.
  3. Expose students to work methods and techniques on handling equipment and machinery that may not be available in the universities.
  4. Make the transition from the university to the world of work easier and thus enhance students’ contacts for later job placement.
  5. Enlist and strengthen employers’ involvement in the entire educational process of preparing university graduates for employment in industries.

 

OPERATIONS OF THE EKSU-SIWES UNIT

The SIWES Unit ensures effective participation of the students in SIWES through the following activities:

  1. Registration of eligible students for Industrial Training (IT), compilation of Master List, display of the preliminary Master list and compilation of the final Master List
  2. Identification of placement opportunities for students whi are due for IT and issuance of introductory letters to employers
  3. Organization of orientation programme in collaboration with the ITF officials to prepare students for Industrial Training
  4. Deployment of students to the industries for work experience and distribution of training documents, preparation and distribution of supervision roasters to academic staff scheduled to visit students based on the placement list
  5. Apply job specifications as prepared for all the accredited courses and award appropriate credit unit
  6. Submit comprehensive report on the schemes to ITF through their supervising agencies on ITF Form 8 at the end of every year
  7. Ensure payment of students and supervisory allowances and renders returns to the ITF during the SIWES year
  8. Resolving problems arising from industrial Training during and after the training.

Schedules and Services of the Department

The organization and operation of the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is vested in the University SIWES Unit.  This is the Unit that is responsible for the implementation of SIWES at the institutional level.  It is the primary stakeholder that students relate with in order to ensure their successful participation in SIWES.  In carrying out its assigned roles under the minimum national guide programme for supervised Industrial Training activities for approved SIWES Course, the SIWES Unit liaises with four other SIWES stakeholders namely, ITF, NUC, Employers and the students for effective and efficient operation.

The SIWES Unit ensures effective participation of the students in SIWES through the following activities:

  1.  Registration of eligible students for Industrial Training (IT), compilation of Master List, display of the preliminary Master List and compilation of the final Master List.
  2. Identification of placement opportunities for students who are due for IT and issuance of introductory letters to employers.
  3. Organization of orientation programme in collaboration with the ITF to prepare students for Industrial Training.
  4. Deployment of students to the industry for work experience and distribution of training documents, preparation and distribution of supervision roasters to academic staff scheduled to visit students based on the placement list.
  5. Apply job specifications as prepared for all the accredited courses and award appropriate credit unit.
  6. Submit comprehensive report on the scheme to ITF through their supervising agencies on ITF Form 8A at the end of every year.
  7. Ensure payment of students and supervisory allowances and renders returns to the ITF during the SIWES Year.
  8. Resolving problems arising from Industrial Training during and after the training.
  9. Soliciting Industrial Training placements for students and as well job recruitments for final year students by businesses, industries, governments and service agencies depending upon the needs and qualifications.
  10. Fostering contacts between the University, Educational Institutions, Government Departments and Industries at necessary levels of cooperation on  research collaborations as a result of feedbacks from industries
  1.  Prepare and submit eight copies of Matriculation, Master and Payment Lists not later than 31st March of each SIWES Year to the ITF and NUC.
  2. Liaising with the ITF and NUC in resolving problems arising from the implementation of SIWES.
  3. Facilitation of monitoring visits to the institution by office of the ITF and NUC.
  4. Regular attendance at Biennial Conferences and Seminars on SIWES.
  1. Collection of logistic materials for administering the scheme.
  2. Organization of orientation programme for students in collaboration with ITF Area Office.
  3. Liaising with ITF with respect to staff supervisory allowances due to the institution.
  4. Regular attendance and participation in the SIWES Zonal Quarterly Meetings under the auspices of the ITF Area Office.
  5. Compilation and submission of students institutional payment list for log books vetting and payment.
  1. Establishment and accreditation of SIWES Units in Institution under their jurisdiction.
  2. Accreditation of courses for approved SIWES Programme in the institution.
  1. Collaboration with the industry to ensure that students are accepted for industrial attachment.
  2. Liaising with employers in resolving problems arising from the scheme.
  3. Assigning industrial based supervisor for the students on attachment.
  4. Provision of welfare services to the students on attachment.
  5. Organization and co-ordination of supervisory visits to students on attachment with employers.

Requirements for the Mobilisation of Students for Industrial Training (IT)

Eligible Industrial Trainees are students pursing SIWES approved and National Universities Commission (NUC) accredited programmes and have satisfied the laid down academic requirements in their various departments.  Approved names of eligible industrial trainees are usually sent to the SIWES Unit from various departments on request.  The student has to satisfy the laid down academic requirements of their various departments at the time of embarking on SIWES. The Industrial Training normally holds in the Second Semester of an academic session.

Assessment and Monitoring

i    Credit Units: Credit  Units are attached to the SIWES Programme.
ii.  Logbook:

a  A student on SIWES is required to complete the log book daily as a record of actual industrial activity carried out.
b. The industry based supervisor is required to go through the log-book every week to authenticate the student’s report.
c. The industry based supervisor is expected to enforce discipline and ensure punctuality and good conduct of the trainee.
d. Institutional supervisor (Lecturer from the trainees department in the University) is required to visit at least twice to authenticate the students log book report and review the training programme in conjunction with the industry based supervisor.
e. Students also should take their log books to the ITF Area Office for authentication
f. Log-book, punctuality, general conduct and discipline during the SIWES account for 50% of SIWES score.

iii.   Technical Report: This is a more specific write-up of the experimental procedure, techniques, use of equipment, interpretation of result and general presentation prepared by the student.  This will be based on 30%.
iv.  Viva voce: Following submission of the Technical Report, students would make oral presentation in their various Departments on the experience gained during the industrial training. This will constitute 20% of the assessment.

The University SIWES Unit is headed by a SIWES Coordinator, an academic staff , recommended by the Dean, Faculty of Engineering and approved by the Vice-Chancellor. The other non-teaching are under the Faculty Office of the Faculty of Engineering. The current staff in the University with their ranks are:

  1. Dr. O. Adetan : Reader/The University SIWES Coordinator
  2. M.L. Akanmu: Senior Executive Officer I/ (SIWES Desk Officer)
  3. F.F. Aribisala : Executive Officer
  4. A.E. Atejioye : Senior Driver

A. FACULTY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

  1. Agricultural Economics and Extension
  2. Animal Science
  3. Crops Production, Horticulture and Landscape
  4. Fisheries and Aquaculture Management
  5. Forestry Resources and Wildlife Management
  6. Soil Resources and Environmental Management

B. FACULTY OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES

  1. Anatomy
  2. Physiology

C. FACULTY OF EDUCATION

  1. Vocational Technical Education
  2. Science Education

D.  FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

  1. Civil Engineering
  2. Computer Engineering
  3. Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  4. Mechanical Engineering

E.  FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCE

  1. Entrepreneurship

F.  FACULTY OF SCIENCE

  1. Biochemistry
  2. Chemistry
  3. Industrial Chemistry
  4. Computer Science
  5. Microbiology
  6. Physics
  7. Plant Science and Biotechnology
  8. Science Laboratory Technology
  9. Statistics
  10. Zoology and Environmental Biology

G. FACULTY OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

  1. Geography and Planning Science
  2. Environmental Management Science
  3. Psychology and Behaviourial Studies
  4. Tourism and Hospitality Management
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