By Blessing Ibegbu
The Vice-Chancellor of Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, 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 the vice-chancellor, effective supervision and mentorship are essential for ensuring that students achieve their learning objectives during industrial attachment.
He said the programme aligned 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.
“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,” he said.
Ayuba noted that transforming SIWES at Bingham University would require a collective effort to build capacity at all levels.
He said the university had continued 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,” he said.
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 said.
Earlier, Ishegbe said the event marked a significant step in the university’s collective commitment to strengthening the administration of SIWES.
According to her, the theme was carefully chosen because SIWES is not merely a graduation requirement but a statutory bridge between 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.
“However, we have observed gaps, including missing data, delayed submissions, unsubmitted logbooks, weak industry linkages and informal handovers that erode institutional memory,” she said.
Ishegbe said the training and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) launched during the event were designed to address those challenges.
She added that 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 student records.
She urged participants to actively engage in discussions and share experiences, noting that the success of SIWES at Bingham University depended on teamwork and coordination.
Ishegbe also appreciated the vice-chancellor for approving the programme and supporting SIWES operations.
Speaking on “Best Practices for Record Keeping, SIWES Reporting and Evaluation,”Mrs Na’anpoe Shwatshak, Head of Training at the ITF Lafia Area Office, described SIWES as a skills development programme designed to expose students to industrial work methods and equipment.
She said 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.
Also speaking, Dr Ibrahim Ewa, Director of SIWES at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, who presented a paper on “Conflict Resolution Strategies for SIWES-Related Challenges in Universities and Industries,” described 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.
In his presentation on “Managing Student Supervision and Feedback for Optimal Performance,” Dr Gabriel Anyanwu, Director of the Advancement Office and Head of the Department of Biochemistry, said effective SIWES supervision required collaboration among institutions, employers and students.
According to him, 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.
He also stressed the need to ensure that students possess all relevant SIWES materials, including the Students Commencement Attachment Form (SCAF), ITF Form 8, SIWES guidelines and logbooks. (NAN)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
