No knowledge is wasted, Egbewole tells students
By Bashir Dawodu and Bashirat Omotosho
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has charged students of the University preparing for the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) to maximise every opportunity and knowledge gained during their industrial training, noting that no form of learning is ever wasted.
Prof. Egbewole gave the charge last Wednesday, (January 14, 2025) while declaring open the 2026 SIWES Pre-Placement Orientation Programme, held at the University Multipurpose Hall.
The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole, urged the students to see the programme as a platform to develop their critical thinking skills that would enable them to contribute meaningfully to societal transformation and create value that could translate into economic benefits.
He congratulated the students for being privileged to participate in the SIWES programme, an opportunity, he noted, is not available to everyone. He encouraged them to seize the opportunity and make it count in their lives.
Prof. Egbewole further advised the students to manage their time wisely, stressing that time once lost can never be regained.
He also urged them to apply the knowledge acquired during the training to improve and modernise their family businesses, reaffirming the University’s confidence in their abilities.
In his welcome address, the Director of the SIWES Unit, University of Ilorin, Prof. Rowland M. Kayode, disclosed that the University would be releasing 6,273 students from 12 Faculties, excluding those from affiliated institutions, for industrial training within and outside the country.
Prof. Rowland explained that the industrial training programme is designed to expose students to the practical application of theories learned in the classroom, thereby bridging the gap between academic knowledge and industry practice.
“The most effective strategy for building manpower and resourcefulness among our graduates for industry is to promote knowledge sharing and technology transfer between academia and industry”,he said.
Prof. Rowland appreciated the Vice Chancellor and the University Administration for their continued support of the SIWES Unit, and also acknowledged the cooperation of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Ilorin Area Office, and its headquarters in Jos.
He advised the students to conduct themselves responsibly during the training and to ensure proper documentation in their logbooks.
In her address, the Deputy Director and Area Manager of the Industrial Training Fund, Ilorin Area Office, Mrs Quadri Temitayo, commended the University of Ilorin for organising what she described as a prestigious pre-orientation programme aimed at adequately preparing students for the future.
Represented by the Head of Training, ITF, Mr Ibrahim Onipe, the Area Manager outlined the objectives of the Industrial Work Experience Scheme, which include preparing students for industrial work after graduation, equipping them with relevant skills and experience, and exposing them to modern work methods and techniques.
She urged the students to be good ambassadors of the University wherever they are posted and to make effective use of the opportunity and time available to them.
Highlights of the event included training sessions on SIWES report writing guidelines, the use of SIWES documents, and procedures for the payment of allowances.
The programme was attended by members of the University management, lecturers, and students.
