The Vice-Chancellor of University of Abuja (UniAbuja), FCT, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, has called on students of the institution to embrace internship and hard work for self reliance after graduation.
Na’Allah gave the charge during a one-day Awareness and Sensitisation Programme on Internship organised by the university in collaboration with ASOLAR Solar Systems on Wednesday.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Clement Alawa, he said that the institution would continue to provide massive opportunities for students through its academia-industry collaboration to position them as global competitors.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the sensitisation is: “Student internship and Employment Opportunities After Graduation In A Developing Economy”.
According to Na’Allah, UniAbuja has rolled out various innovative programmes including the Centre of Undergraduate Research and students’ mentoring scheme, among others.
“We are doing things that are not done in any university in Nigeria and we are preparing our students to be global competitors when they live the institution.
“We are doing what others are not doing; the internship, centre of undergraduate research, mentoring and students work programme.
“We also introduced foreign language studies as well, to make sure our students can speak at least one foreign language,” he said.
The Director, UniAbuja’s Internship and Linkages Services Unit (ILS Unit), Prof. Abdulfatai Jimoh, said that some of the students were undergoing internship on solar technology in an energy firm under the institution’s voluntary internship programme.
Jimoh said more than 500 students had indicated interest in the UniAbuja’s internship programme, while four students were currently undergoing hands-on learning of solar technology at Asolar Solar Home Systems.
According to him, the internship scheme is aimed at ensuring that students are equipped with relevant skills and experience to make them easily employable or successful job creators after graduation.
Jimoh, who said that the internship programme was different from the compulsory Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), commended the Vice Chancellor for initiating the programme.
“Today’s programme is to create awareness, to sensitise our students and the university community on the mandates of ILS Unit, which include internship programme opportunity for students.
“Also, Collaboration for academic programmes, and to cap it all, bringing to our environment, solar system expert, ASOLAR, who is ever ready to share details on their Solar Home Systems and products with us.
“We want to catch them young from 100 level; we want to begin to expose them to what is happening in the industries as they learn in the classroom and this is different from the government’s approved SIWES.
“The programme is aimed at providing the students of the university with practical experience to help them validate the knowledge gained in the classroom and broadly enhance their capacity to utilise their skills and talents,” he said.
He added that apart from Asolar Solar Home Systems, the ILSU has also partnered with several others on internship programme.
NAN reports that the event also attracted a popular Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike, who acknowledged the importance of internship programme, including question and answer session. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)