Objectives and Expected Outcomes of the Institutional Training Programme

The main objective of this program is to provide the students with the exposure to a real time workplace environment to get the necessary training to increase the scope for employability. The students will not necessarily be practicing the subject matters they learnt in university, but will be expected to work in a normal working environment interacting with other employees and performing duties assigned to them by the respective heads of the organizations. The students are expected to develop soft skills required at a dynamic work place, such as teamwork, time management, leadership qualities, adaptability, negotiating and mediation skills, etc. The ultimate goal of the internship program is to create a globally competitive graduate and to minimize the waiting time for employment.

Types of Internship and Alternative Training Programs

The programs have been designed in such a way that the students get the opportunity to choose either the internship training program or one from any other alternative programsgiven in the following table.

Internship Type

Description

1 Institutional Training a.       Public sector organizations
b.      Private sector organizations
c.       Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
d.      International non-governmental organizations (INGOs)
e.       International governmental organizations (IGOs)
2 Community Development Work Volunteering  or on pay basis
3 Entrepreneurial Activity In any legally acceptable skill area

Duration and Arrangement of Work

According to the common structure of the study programs (Prospectus 2014), the internships are permitted only for the students of four-year study programs at the second semester of their final year.

Duration of the training:  3 months (It is recommended that the training be at least three months in duration. Longer postings can be arranged according to the needs of the trainee.)

 Days per week: From a minimum of three days up to a maximum five days per week

Internship Placement and Implementation Strategy

Collaborative Institutional Training Program with National Apprentice & Industrial Training Authority (NAITA): NAITA has agreed to provide assistance in finding placements through their network for the final year undergraduates taking internships. In this case, students are expected to fulfill the requirements of NAITA. On request from the faculty, students are also able to receive a certificate on completion of the basic three-month internship program. In this case also, students are expected to abide by the procedures of the Special Industrial Training Section (SIT) of NAITA. In addition to this, the interns are able to continue their training to earn an internationally recognized certificate issued by NAITA, purely based on the discretion of the student and in accordance with NAITA and the host organization. Further, NAITA will conduct orientation programs and placement seminars prior to recruitment.

Through Memorandum of Understanding with recommended institutions: The departments of FHSS can also find suitable organizations for students through collaboration and a memorandum of understanding.

Self-placement by Students: Based on prior approval of the respective departments, students on their own can also find their placements for the training. This can be done either with the accreditation of NAITA or purely based on the discretion of the host organization.

Community Development Work: A student,on recommendation of the respective department, can choose to work as a community development worker on volunteering or pay basis. Some areas that students can consider as examples of community development work are:

Working to help differently abled people
Helping marginalized people such as the elderly, underprivileged communities, illiterate adults, helpless patients/children, etc.
Engaging to help prison inmates
Educating people on specific issues such as landslides, dengue, etc.
Getting involved in helping people in religious activities
Helping low income students with the subject knowledge to prepare for their examinations.

Entrepreneurial Activity: A student can gain training on entrepreneurial skills through engaging in a family business or own account business. This should be a legally acceptable business and prior approval should be obtained from the respective department.

A student who is not able to find an internship opportunity is able to follow course units with equal credits to fulfill the requirement of the study program.