GUST expands student internship program
Gulf University for Science and Technology’s (GUST) announced yesterday the expansion of its internship program to include over 20 prominent companies in multiple industry sectors. The program fulfills a major course requirement for the College of Business Administration every semester. It is designed to equip students with practical hands-on experience in a professional working environment to ensure an effective transition into the workforce after graduation. This year, the list of internship providers has increased to include companies from new sectors. YIACO Medical Company, Nestle, Agility, Commercial Bank of Kuwait, Warba Bank, Talal Abu Ghazaleh & Co., Grant Thornton, Ernst & Young, Arab Investment Company, AIESEC, LOYAC, and ATAHUB are now part of GUST’s internship providers, bringing the total number of companies to 26. GUST President, Professor Donald Bates, said “Our job as educators is to make sure that our students are fully prepared to take on any challenge that comes their way, not only during their time at GUST, but also when they join the work force. It is through the success of such programs, that our graduates have developed a reputation as top-tier employment candidates.”
In line with GUST’s corporate strategy, the university has built and maintained effective collaborations with major companies and organizations in Kuwait. GUST internship providers include major entities in the oil sector, such as Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and Kuwait Oil Company, organizations in the financial sector such as the National Bank of Kuwait, Boubyan Bank, Gulf Bank, Kuwait Finance House, companies in the investment sector such as Global Investment House, as well as the public sector with the State Audit Bureau.
These organizations are instrumental in creating opportunities for our students to learn as well as complement their academic skills with the hands-on experience required in the workplace. GUST Deputy Director of Business Development & Corporate Relations, Nahed AlObaid said, “This internship program is a great opportunity for GUST to build relationships with the corporate sector and interact with industry leaders. This enables us to stay tuned to current market requirements. The program has been successful in creating an effective bridge between our students and potential employers.”
Over a thousand students have successfully completed the internship program in the past nine years. With such programs, GUST students gain essential experience that familiarizes them with professional working environments by offering the opportunity to participate in dayto-day work activities, and enables them to acquire specific skill sets in preparation for their future careers.