SIWES: Students, lecturers seek better funding, placements to maximise benefits
By Titilayo Adesina
Some students and lecturers of the University of Abuja have described the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) as crucial in bridging the gap between classroom learning and workplace practice.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, they advocated improved funding and supervision for the scheme to maximise its benefits.
The students said the scheme equipped them with technical skills, workplace ethics and confidence that lectures alone could not provide.
Ms Laura Fumen, a 300-level Journalism and Media Studies student, said SIWES had transformed her academic knowledge into practical experience.
“SIWES has been a transformative experience that has bridged the gap between theory and practice.
“It has allowed me to experience first-hand what I have been learning in the classroom, making my academic knowledge more practical and meaningful,” she said.
Fumen said the programme had enabled her to gain practical experience in video editing and to become familiar with television transmission.
“One of the greatest benefits has been gaining practical experience in video editing, which we have always been taught theoretically in school.
“Seeing and participating in the editing process every day has made me more familiar with the work and boosted my confidence,” she said.
She, however, identified the lack of a personal computer as a major challenge.
“Without a computer, it is difficult to practise what I learn daily during my industrial training, especially editing and other practical aspects of journalism,” she said.
She urged educational institutions and relevant stakeholders to ensure that journalism students had access to functional computers to strengthen their digital media skills.
Similarly, Mr Nicholas Samuel, a 400-level Electrical and Electronics Engineering student, said his industrial attachment at Univolt Technologies, Gwagwalada, had exposed him to practical engineering skills.
Samuel said he had gained hands-on experience installing solar power systems, closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems, and home automation technologies.
He added that the company’s School of Excellence programme had also exposed trainees to workplace ethics and interpersonal skills.
“There is something we call the School of Excellence, where we are taught values, ethics and how to relate effectively with people wherever we find ourselves. It has been a rewarding experience,” he said.
He, however, said financial difficulties relating to transportation, accommodation and feeding had made the training challenging.
“It has not been easy because of the financial demands associated with transportation, accommodation and feeding,” he said.
He appealed to the Federal Government to provide students on SIWES with monthly stipends to ease the financial burden during the programme.
Mr Dogara Prince, a 400-level Quantity Surveying student undergoing his industrial training at the Gwagwalada Area Council, said the scheme had significantly strengthened the practical aspect of his education.
Prince said the training had exposed him to professional site operations and provided deeper insight into quantity surveying practice.
“I have gained valuable knowledge from professionals about site duties and how quantity surveying is practised in real-life situations,” he said.
He identified the challenge of mastering some practical aspects of construction work and called for increased site visits and better financial support for students.
“There should be more site visits, especially to projects in related fields such as civil engineering. Students also need better financial support,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Ola-Falayi Oluwamayokun, a 300-level Mathematics student undergoing training at the International Centre of Applied Mathematical Modelling and Data Analytics, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, described the experience as enriching.
Oluwamayokun said the programme had equipped him with valuable digital competencies, particularly in data analysis.“I have acquired several digital skills, particularly in data analysis,” he said.
He, however, cited the demanding schedule of activities at the centre as one of the challenges encountered and advocated monthly financial support for students participating in SIWES.
Meanwhile, Mr Ahmed Shuaibu, a lecturer at the University of Abuja, described SIWES as a vital component of tertiary education because of its role in exposing students to professional work environments.
“SIWES is one of the most important components of tertiary education because it provides students with practical exposure to the professional environment,” Shuaibu said.
According to him, the programme enables students to apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations while exposing them to workplace culture, professional ethics, teamwork, time management and problem-solving.
He, however, identified difficulties in securing quality placements, inappropriate work assignments and financial constraints as major challenges confronting students.
“Many students struggle to secure quality placements in organisations that align with their academic disciplines,” he said.
He added that some employers assigned students routine administrative duties rather than meaningful professional responsibilities capable of developing their competencies.
“Financial constraints, including transportation and accommodation costs, also limit students’ effective participation,” he said.
According to him, the extent to which SIWES bridges the gap between theory and practice depends largely on the quality of placements, employers’ commitment, effective supervision and strong collaboration between educational institutions and industry.
“When properly implemented, SIWES produces graduates who are more competent, adaptable and ready for the labour market,” he said.
He called for stronger partnerships between universities and industries to guarantee relevant placements, structured training plans, experienced mentors, clear learning objectives and regular performance feedback.
He also urged government agencies to ensure adequate funding of the scheme and the prompt payment of students’ allowances.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abujah Racheal/Dorcas Jonah
