By Khadijah Kolapo
A former president of the Industrial Engineering Students Association (IESA), Mr Adedeji Adejuwon, has advised Industrial Engineering students to customize their training in the department to match their career interests.
He said this while explaining the versatility of the course at the 4th edition of the annual IESA conference themed “Improving Industrial Systems Resilience: Tackling Disruptive Challenges” held at LPI Innovation Hub, University of Ibadan on the 7th of October, 2021.
Mr Adejuwon, a customer due diligence manager in the Netherlands and a speaker at the event, further stated that since Industrial Engineering deals with process optimization which is crucial in every sector, the students would have access to opportunities in any industry. He also encouraged them to start applying what they are learning in their daily activities and to be ready to blend technical skills with business acumen.
Mr Kingsley Igbinedion, the assistant production manager of fountain manufacturing company Oluyole and a panelist at the conference echoed Mr Adejuwon’s advice about the importance of Industrial Engineering skills and also stressed the importance of bringing initiatives to the table, giving the best to jobs, self awareness and not limiting oneself to the classroom. The other panelists were Dr Edem, the Undergraduate coordinator of the department who talked about his passion for academics and Engr Tola Bickersteth of Scroft Energy Company Limited, who emphasized that the students should not just read to pass and that they should build their networks.
“Eliminate processes that are redundant and focus on developing a workplace with the target of improving yield and maximizing profit”, Engr. Dr. Alabi Adefowope, the factory logistics manager at British American Tobacco and the Keynote Speaker said while explaining why Integrated Work System (IWS) is the solution to global systems. He also stated that for systems to work efficiently, everyone has to pitch in.
Also present at the occasion were the Head of the department of Industrial Engineering, Engr. Dr. Mojisola Bolarinwa, the first female HOD in the Faculty of Technology; Dr Kolawole, a lecturer in the department; Alhaji Surajudeen Salau, an alumni, Procurement Operations Manager at Unilever and the Special guest of honour; and Mr Oyewole Akanbi who joined online , a Supply chain manager in the US who transitioned from Food Technology to Industrial Engineering.
The conference which was the first hybrid edition was in honour of Late Engr. Abibu Adekunle, the former Vice President of IESA alumni body.
