Internships boost Qatar university students’ skills

Internships and externships are growing in importance at Qatar University (QU) as part of the institution’s commitment to ensure students gain practical experience along with theory learned in classrooms and boost their skills. The aim is to give students an insight into various disciplines of the professional world and the opportunity to be mentored by experts during the training process, QU said. ‘Learning by doing’ is the underlining principle behind the promotion of internship and externship programmes to QU students. While internships involve students spending an intensive period of work and training at an organization, often as a summer placement, an externship allows the student to continue his/her university study and attend the mentoring organization on a regular basis for on-the-job training. QU Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr Mazen Hasna said, “Through these placements, students also gain an invaluable opportunity to acquire and improve on skills in interacting with people from different cultures, and gaining important qualities of responsibility, self-esteem, independence, leadership and decision-making.” A couple of students who did internship said the experience gave them insights into the legal system of three environments that will serve to enhance their worldview and strengthen their personal and academic profiles. College of Law (LAWC) senior student Ameena Al Mannai and sophomore Maryam Al Kaabi spent the summer at prestigious law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) undergoing the first two weeks of expert legal training at BLP’s Abu Dhabi office and the remaining two weeks in its London office. “Having had this training, I am more confident of my abilities to move forward to be a successful student in preparation for entering the legal world,” said Ameena. “This was a unique opportunity that gave me a wide range of information and skills that will be useful in whatever career I choose,” said Maryam. Ruba Yousif who interned at Clyde and Co while Marwa Ali Bamatraf who experienced on-site training at a number of organizations also shared positive feedback. College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) student Rahma Abu Swai did her summer internship in Germany under the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) programme.