Despite the global lockdown caused by coronavirus, Khalifa University’s Career Services Office has successfully placed 330 of its undergraduate students into a virtual internship program this summer.
The students will be interning at major public and private organizations that reflect the critical sectors of the UAE economy, including, but not limited to, local organization such as ADNOC, the Dubai Police, DEWA, Tawazun, Du, Ministry of Education, Halcon, General Civil Aviation Authority, Ministry of Infrastructure and Development, AD Municipality, DP World, and Ankabut, and international organizations such as Children’s National, Diehl Group of Companies, CAE, Lockheed Martin, Thales, Solarship Ins, Ureka, and TOKA.
The internship experience is a core part of Khalifa University’s curriculum, and it is also a requirement for graduation. Internships offer students a unique opportunity to acquire critical skills and knowledge that they wouldn’t realize inside a classroom, while giving them the chance to put theory to practice.
The traditional internship had to go through a major conceptual change to be transformed into a virtual internship program. Industries, hosting companies, eligible students and faculty had to be introduced to the new concept. However, the resulting virtual internship program that has been developed seems to have paved the way for deeper partnership opportunities with new industries and companies at both the local and international levels.
The dedication of the Career Services team has ensured that each eligible student was placed in a high-quality virtual internship, where they will experience a well-rounded, memorable and inclusive work experience that will provide them with lifelong skills. Student internships are a cornerstone of the KU student experience, and Career Services oversees this activity to increase employment rates of KU graduates. Other initiatives of the Career Services Office include Majors Day, Career Development Course, CV Clinic, Career Fair, Internship Fair and Alumni engagement.
Erica Solomon
Senior Editor
5 August 2020
