Momentous Milestone for Australian Internships
Pacific Internship Programs On The Horizon
Photo from the left: Dr Bibhya Sharma, Acting Dean, Faculty Science, Technology & Environment, The University of the South Pacific, Diana van Woerkom, Managing Director – Australian Internships, The University of the South Pacific, Vice Chancellor, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Jenny Salonen – Director Strategic Engagement – Australian Internships and Oliana Nayago, Industry & Community Liaison Coordinator, Faculty of Science, Technology & Environment, The University of the South Pacific.
April 10, Sydney
Leading global internship program provider Australian Internships (AI) are expanding their internship offerings after momentous MOU signing’s with The University of The South Pacific (USP) and renown firms Fijian Holdings Limited (FHL), NRW Macallan (Fiji) Limited and Civil Works Solutions (Pte) Limited. AI are proud to announce that launch of the “Pacific Internship Program” is on the horizon for students and graduates eager to gain professional and cultural experience in the Pacific region.
The newly forged partnerships will enable AI to offer the “Pacific Internship Program” - a “buddy system” whereby students and graduates will be paired with Fijian USP students and attached to a local host organisation for the duration of their internship. The buddy system will see the paired interns being placed with a Fijian host organisation at the same time. The pairing of interns will offering share tasks, knowledge and learnings.
USP is the premier provider of tertiary education in the Pacific region and an international centre of excellence for teaching, research consulting and training on all aspects of Pacific culture, environment and human resource development needs.
In signing the MOU with AI, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Vice-Chancellor and President of USP welcomed AI on board, and remarked that the program through the MOU brings in a win-win situation for both institutions.
The program will provide an opportunity for cultural exchange and awareness of industry challenges specific to the Pacific region. AI and USP will work together to develop a schedule for the internship and align this to the needs of the host organisation. The internship program can vary in length from 6 weeks to 26 weeks and aligns to the student’s area of study.
The local host organisations will play a crucial role in bringing the Pacific Internship Program to life. Offering the opportunity for students and graduates to gain hands on training and cultural exposure in Fiji and the Pacific region. Internships offer win-win cultural exchange and training for students while provide industry with eager young professionals hungry for learning. Local industry were eager to jump on board with the following firms snapping up the opportunity to formalize MOU’s with AI:
• Fijian Holdings Limited (FHL) is a highly successful investment company and a major player in the corporate sector that is 100% owned by indigenous Fijians. With investments in various sectors such as tourism, finance, manufacturing, properties, building & construction, media and retailing, FHL is able to provide its shareholders with great returns through a diverse portfolio. Fijian Holdings is a success story of how indigenous people in the Pacific can become successful in doing business.
• NRW Macallan (Fiji) Ltd is a subsidiary company of NRW specialists Ltd (Australia). Both companies have extensive overseas experience, particularly in developing countries and a permanent a presence in the South Pacific. NRW Macallan (Fiji) Ltd is based in Suva, Fiji and has been operating in Suva since 1968. The company was originally registered as Ian Macallan & Co. (Fiji) Ltd.
• Civil Works Solutions is a Fiji based company with international and local professional engineers, economists, land surveyors, project managers, environmentalists and technical specialists to provide services that enhances the economic and social welfare of communities.
Diana van Woerkom, Managing Director of AI shared that AI’s trip to Fiji was extremely rewarding both personally and professionally. She was overwhelmed with the level hospitality of the locals and is excited to see the program get up and running; certain that it will impact the lives and careers of future program participants.
Ms van Woerkom believes that the program opens doors for future business and the culmination of bringing together internationalization of young professionals; exchange of ideas; culture and career development.