ACK hosts internship ceremony

The School of Engineering at the Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) hosted its first Internship Ceremony to recognize 25 students who participated in a pilot “Spring/Summer internship Program”. Among the attendees were employers from diverse industries who supervised and coached the students over a six- week internship experience. The employers who hosted student interns included Kuwait Oil Company, Kuwait National Petroleum Company, the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, Refrigeration Industries, Schlumberger, Kharafi National, Gulf Consult, Weatherford International, GOFSCO and Petroleum Coke Industries.

At the start of the 2016 academic year, the School of Engineering introduced a new internship model adapted from a Canadian post-secondary institution with a long standing history of generating work ready graduates. This model included employment preparation workshops and an internship assignment that enables students to reflect on their capabilities as engineers. Joumana Tasse, Internship Coordinator- School of Engineering, stated: “Students were able to attain hands-on work experience while developing their confidence. ACK’s Project Based Learning (PBL) model played a key role in preparing students to learn how to work in teams. Students demonstrated strength in competency and character which will benefit them in securing their future careers.”

From his end, Engineer Nemer Abu Sara from Refrigeration Industries stated: ”The level of technical knowledge that ACK students demonstrated tied in seamlessly and practically with our operations. Their PBL training enabled students to work well with our staff of all cultures. The Refrigeration Industries Company observed good people skills and a passion to learn.” The School of Engineering is pleased with its internship initiative that has ultimately shaped a new learning model. Bridging academic learning with applied work experience that enables students to develop necessary skills to attain success.