By Grace Ehi Unogwu FUDMA
As the 2026 Industrial Training cycle begins, the Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Dr. Shamsuddeen Sulaiman, has charged prospective SIWES participants to uphold morals, discipline, and personal safety as ambassadors of the institution.
Dr. Sulaiman gave the charge during the Faculty’s SIWES Orientation held at the Sen. Barau Jibrin Lecture Auditorium, Take-off Campus. He urged students to “exhibit decent, moral, and worthy virtues” throughout their stay at host industries, noting that their conduct would directly project FUDMA’s image to employers and society.
“You are not just going to learn; you are going to represent this Faculty and this University,” the Dean told students. “In all your dealings, let discipline, honesty and respect guide you. The impression you leave behind will open doors for you and for the students who will come after you.”
Citing the current security situation in parts of the country, Dr. Sulaiman stressed safety above all else. “You are moving from the familiar terrain of our institution to a completely new environment. Take precautionary measures to ensure your safety first before any other thing,” he cautioned. “Do not take unnecessary risks, obey the safety protocols of your host company and always stay in communication with your family, your host supervisor and your school’s SIWES coordinator.”
Earlier, Faculty SIWES Coordinator, Dr. Orverem Joel Mvendaga, described SIWES as “a critical bridge between theoretical learning and industrial reality” designed to prepare students for workplace situations after graduation. “The transition from the lecture hall to the boardroom or workshop floor can be jarring without proper preparation. SIWES is that necessary shock absorber,” he explained.
The orientation featured key paper presentations to equip students with practical knowledge for placement.
Presenting the lead paper titled “What is SIWES and its Importance”, Mal. Muhammad Suleiman Darma described SIWES as “a skill development programme designed to expose students to the real-world application of theoretical knowledge acquired in school.” He said the scheme “exposes students to modern work methods and techniques, especially in handling equipment and machinery that may not be available within their university laboratories” and “helps bridge the perennial gap between theory and practice, makes the transition from school to work easier and offers students the potential for immediate job offers and the development of essential teamwork skills.”
On professional conduct, Mal. Bashir Abubakar Ahoume presented “Conduct and Discipline of Students at their SIWES Placement.” He warned against “acts of indiscipline, lateness and social vices,” urging students to treat their placement as a long-term job interview.
Dr. Chinedu Peter’s paper on “How to Write SIWES Technical Report” gave students a blueprint for proper structure, data presentation, and language use. He stressed “the importance of documenting their experiences methodically to meet ITF standards.”
Concluding the session, Dr. Mvendaga took students through “General Information and Management of the ITF Students Commencement Attachment Form, SCAF, and Form Eight.” He warned that “mismanagement of the SCAF and Form Eight could lead to the non-processing of their allowances and the invalidation of their IT logbooks.”
The 2026 SIWES orientation ended with a vote of thanks, as students expressed optimism about their postings to various industries nationwide.
The Faculty of Physical Sciences remains one of the most active participants in the scheme, consistently sending hundreds of students to banks, technology hubs, and research institutes as well as manufacturing firms across Nigeria.