Text of Address by the Vice-Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Professor E. Smaranda Olarinde, FCArb, FCAI, at the 3rd Zonal Quarterly Meeting of SIWES Directors and Coordinators in Ondo and Ekiti States, Under the Supervision of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Akure Area Office Thursday, 18th September, 2025

• PROTOCOL

On behalf of the management, staff, and students of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), ranked by 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Ranking (THEIR) as no. 1 university in Nigeria, no. 3 in Africa and 84^th in the world, I bring you warm greetings and heartfelt wishes for a gathering that will spark fresh ideas, strengthen collaborations, and set new benchmarks for excellence.

SIWES: A Strategic Bridge Between Classroom and Industry

The Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), established in 1973 by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), was a bold national response to the need to bridge the gap between theory and practice. More than five decades later, the vision remains not only relevant but indispensable.

Today’s global economy is driven by knowledge, innovation and practical skills. Our graduates must not only excel in theory but also demonstrate competence in handling modern equipment, navigating industrial processes, and applying solutions to real-world challenges. SIWES is the crucible in which academic knowledge is tested, refined and transformed into professional excellence.

At Afe Babalola University, SIWES is far more than a routine exercise, as it is woven into the very essence of our academic philosophy. Our Founder, Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, LL.D, D.Lit, FNIALS, FNSE, envisioned this institution as a model of excellence, grounded in discipline, industry, and an undying quest for quality.

As a leading institution, we have deepened our ties with industry through strong collaborations both at home and abroad, while investing heavily in our world-class facilities, such as; ABUAD Multisystem Hospital, ABUAD Industrial Park, ABUAD Farm, modern laboratories, and the Bogoro Research Centre; to ensure our students are industry-ready.

The Strategic Role of Directors and Coordinators

The success of SIWES rests not only on policy but, more importantly, on the people who bring it to life. You are the custodians of quality assurance within the SIWES ecosystem, ensuring that students are placed in industries relevant to their fields, that supervisors remain committed to mentoring them, and that the objectives of SIWES are upheld in full, never reduced to mere formalities.

Your work often goes unsung, but let me assure you that institutions like ABUAD recognise and appreciate your dedication. We know the countless hours you invest in matching students with placements, monitoring progress, resolving conflicts, and compiling reports.

To reposition SIWES for greater impact, there is a need for deeper collaboration with industry through more structured partnerships with both local and multinational companies, giving students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with emerging technologies. Adequate funding and stronger institutional support will also be essential to improve supervision, logistics, and monitoring by coordinators.

In addition, the integration of global exposure should be pursued, ensuring that beyond national placements, students can benefit from cross-border training agreements that prepare them to compete with confidence on the global stage.

Continuous student orientation will equally be critical, helping participants to approach SIWES with the seriousness, discipline, and innovative spirit that it demands. Finally, structured feedback from industry partners must be encouraged and harnessed, providing valuable insights that can inform curriculum review and align academic programmes more closely with the realities of the workplace.

A Call to Action

Distinguished colleagues, SIWES is not just a programme it is a national investment in human capital. If implemented with vision and commitment, it has the power to transform Nigeria’s workforce into one of the most competitive in Africa and beyond.

As stakeholders gathered here today, let us resolve to strengthen this scheme. Let us ensure that every Nigerian student who passes through SIWES emerges not only more skilled but also more employable, more innovative, and more determined to contribute to national development.

I thank the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Akure Area Office for their active role and like Oliver Twist, “we crave for so much more”. I also thank all of you Directors, Coordinators, and industry partners for your tireless contributions.

May today’s deliberations mark yet another step in building a brighter future for our students the nation and future generations.

Thank you.