VTU Introduces New Internship Policy, Recognizes Company Training as Internship Credit

VTU Supports Skill-Enhancement Courses for Students Unable to Secure Internships

Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), established in 1998 and located in Belagavi, Karnataka, is one of India’s leading technological universities. Named after the renowned engineer Sir M. Visvesvaraya, VTU is known for its high standards in engineering and technological education and research. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across engineering, technology, and management, focusing on quality education, industry collaboration, and innovation.

Recently, the university announced a major change in its internship procedure and underscored that company training programs following placement will now be recognized as fulfilling the internship requirement. Moreover, students who secure job offers and are required to undergo training by the company can count this training as their internship, provided they have received a job offer and a training invitation from the company and have completed their seventh semester.

The training must last at least 15 weeks and include periodic reporting and evaluation, in line with VTU's new 15-week internship policy for the 2021 batch. If students can't secure an internship, they can opt for skill-enhancement courses with equivalent credits. So far, 500 students have chosen this alternative. VTU's special officer, S. Halbhavi, stated that around half of the final-year students completed their internships in the seventh semester, with the rest expected to do so in the upcoming semester. He highlighted that many students successfully secured internships, and internships abroad or in other states are also viable options.

Anvith Katil, VTU in-charge of the National Students Union of India, stated that colleges are helping students secure internships through the National Skill Development Corporation, making internships more comprehensive compared to the previous one-month programs that lacked meaningful experience. The principal of an engineering college in Bengaluru noted that about 40% of students completed internships in the seventh semester. He highlighted the challenge of securing internships, especially for colleges in rural areas, and emphasized the difficulty in maintaining support for students in subsequent years. He also mentioned that students can pursue internships outside the state or abroad with college approval.

VTU's new internship policy is a forward-thinking approach to enhance student’s practical skills and career readiness. These skill-enhancement courses will prepare students for excelling in technological education.

Editor's Note:

Internships offer students valuable real-world experience, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and professional practice. VTU's innovative internship policy is a commendable initiative that will help students better prepare for the competitive job market by providing opportunities to gain hands-on skills and practical insights. By completing internships or opting for skill-enhancement courses, students will learn how to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios, develop critical professional skills, and enhance their employability. This progressive step of VTU will nurture the future workforce and prepare them to excel in their respective fields.

Skoobuzz believes that this policy will empower students to build stronger career foundations, develop practical expertise, and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape.