Impact of Students' Industrial Work Experience Scheme on Professional Development of Library and Information Science Students case study of EKSU & FUOYE

Abstract

Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme was established to bridge the knowledge gap of students undergoing courses that require practical skills. How far the Scheme has been able to achieve its core mandate becomes a matter of concern. The study adopts descriptive research of the survey type. Sixty-one (61) library and information Science students in Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti and the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) participated in the study. Questionnaire was used to collect data using google form, while data were analysed using simple percentage, means and standard deviation. The findings of this study revealed that LIS students of EKSU and FUOYE had positive perception of SIWES programme. The study found that SIWES had positive impact on career development of LIS students in both EKSU and FUOYE, it also revealed that most of the activities undertaken during the period were related to their librarianship training. Non-payment of training allowance is the most prominent challenge confronting SIWES student while poor supervision is the least. The study concluded that since the students have positive perception of the programme, therefore it should be adequately financed for greater efficiency.