The Vice-Chancellor,  National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters,  has received the newly- appointed Area Manager of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Gwagwalada Area Office, Mrs. Chinelo Assumpta Chinedu, along with her team, on courtesy visit.

The visit, aimed at enhancing partnerships and fostering new initiatives for students training, took place at the university's headquarters in Abuja.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Isaac Butswat, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, chaired the meeting, which emphasised the shared goals of NOUN and ITF to equip students with practical skills relevant to Nigeria’s dynamic job market.

NOUN, as the nation’s premier institution for Open and Distance Learning (ODL), has prioritised practical training in various fields for its students, and ITF’s mandate of promoting industrial training aligns well with the university’s objectives.

During the session, Butswat emphasised the importance of the partnership in advancing practical learning outcomes for students.

"We see this meeting with ITF as a strategic step in equipping students with the essential skills needed in today’s workforce. Through the SIWES programme, students gain hands-on experience, and we look forward to strengthening our ties with ITF in making these opportunities even more accessible and impactful," he said.

On her part, Mrs. Chinelo Assumpta Chinedu, expressed enthusiasm at the potential collaboration, noting the ITF’s commitment to fostering training that addresses both industry needs and educational relevance.

“At ITF, we strive to create avenues for students to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and industry practices. Our partnership with NOUN will allow us to work closely on developing training modules, narrowing the placement processes, and exploring further areas of collaboration,” she remarked.

The meeting also served as a platform for discussions about the challenges both institutions face in implementing and optimising student training programmes, as issues surrounding funding, logistics, and coordination of placements were highlighted.

 NOUN’s Acting Director of SIWES, Dr. Elvis Otamere, provided an overview of the current state of the programme at the university, and identified areas where ITF's expertise could be instrumental in overcoming existing constraints. 

The Director of Advancement and Linkages, Mrs. Omorogieva Ileka, explained that expanding the network of partner organisations is vital to ensuring a broader range of training opportunities for students across different fields.

This collaboration, she suggested, could help address gaps in placements and bring in fresh training resources tailored to modern industry requirements.

The Director of Staff Training & Development, Mrs. Eunice Riki, re-echoed this sentiment, adding that the partnership could extend beyond student training to benefit staff professional development.

"NOUN values continuous learning for its staff as much as it does for students. ITF’s programmes can play a significant role in equipping our personnel with industry-standard skills, especially in technology and emerging fields," she noted.

Dr. Muyiwa Akintola, the Director of Human Resources, representing the Registrar, gave the vote of thanks, where he commended the new area manager and her team for the visit.

He noted that the relationship between NOUN and ITF was poised to grow stronger and deliver tangible benefits.