By joshua 
The Rector, Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu (FEDCODTTEN), Dr. John Emaimo, Friday in Enugu, said efforts by the College to put the institution on the same pedestal with other Institutions of higher learning are yielding huge dividends.
Speaking at the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) orientation programme for ND I, ND II and 400 level students in the college, Dr. Emaimo, who was represented by the Deputy Rector, Dr. Obiora Eke, submitted that the influence of skills’ acquisition and industrial training could not be over-emphasised.
According to him, FEDCODTTEN can compete favourably with other institutions of higher learning in Nigeria in the areas of practicals and skill acquisitions.
The rector explained that SIWES is administered by the Industrial Training Funds (ITF) on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria with the aim of ensuring that greater skills and practical orientation are inculcated in relevant undergraduates in the country as enshrined in the National Policy on Education.
He described industrial training as one of conditions for the award of national diplomas and degrees in Nigerian institutions of higher learning.
The rector also told the gathering that the college is not only the premier Dental College in Africa, but also the only institution in West Africa awarding Higher National Diploma (HND) in Dental Technology, Dental Therapy and Dental Nursing.
He added that the institution had the record of training all frontline dental technologists and therapists as well as dental nurses in Africa.
Highlighting the challenges faced by the institution in the efforts to send its students on industrial training, Dr. Emaimo said the students experience outright rejection by some establishments, lamenting that despite purposeful visits to some hospitals, this challenge has persisted.
The rector who disclosed that SIWES coordinator in the college represented him at the first National Skills Acquisition Summit in Abuja on March 12, 2021, added that the institution monitors and supervises students on industrial training on regular basis within the country.
He also noted that SIWES operations cover a total of 85 hospitals and dental clinics nationwide where the students have their SIWES placement.