RUS Holds 2023 SIWES Orientation

Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, (RSU) Nkpolu Oroworukwu, Port Harcourt, Prof. Nlerum Sunday Okogbule has charged students of the school who, would be going on industrial training, to take their programme seriously.
Prof. Nlerum Okogbule gave the charge recently during the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) for the 2023 programme.
He reminded them of the need to carry out their industry training with diligence as well as being good ambassadors of the institution.
The VC who was represented by the provost, College of Medical Sciences, Prof. Chituru Orluwene, assured the students that the management of the institution would continue to provide conducive environment to enhance academic activities for all.
Earlier in her address, the director of Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), Prof. Boma Dambo said the purpose of the training was to introduce and expose students to work methods as well as prepare them for employment.
“The purpose and essence of Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme is to introduce and expose the students to practical work methods and techniques in handling equipment and machinery in their place of training while they are still learning. It provides students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge in real work situations thereby bridging the gap between theory and practice. It also exposes students to work methods and techniques in handling equipment and machinery in their institutions and elsewhere”.
She hinted that the months of practical experience will help them understand better when they return to school to complete their programme.
She described the industrial training as a marvelous life experience, adding that during the period the students are expected to make contacts with their employers so that after graduation they can easily secure employment.
Also speaking, the area manager of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Mr. Cabral Angereke said the orientation is the process of equipping students with the desired knowledge, adding that it is necessary.
“This orientation marks another milestone in the process of equipping the students with the desired knowledge and practical experience through their participation in Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES). Therefore, this exercise is necessary as it affords the students the opportunity of getting detailed information on the standard of behavior as well as performance standard that is expected of them before, during and after the period of their SIWES attachment.
He described the students work Experience Scheme as a skilled training programme.
Mr. Angereke pointed out that before the establishment of the scheme, students from higher institutions lacked adequate employable skills in industries.
“Before the establishment of the scheme, there was a growing concern amongst industrialists that graduates of our tertiary institutions lacked adequate employable skills in industries. The employers were of the opinion that the theoretical education going on in higher institutions was not responsive to the needs of the employers of labour.”
He commended the management of the RSU for their support. “I want to specifically thank the vice chancellor and the entire management of the institution for their support in carrying out the federal government mandate on SIWES,” Mr. Angereke lauded.
More than 4,000 students participated in the one day orientation programme.