Innovative Internship  in Academic Curriculum can enhance  employability at graduate & higher level of Education

By : PARTHA ROY 

The new National Education Policy has opened up wide range of opportunity for innovation in  educational methodology,  as well as for educational institutions, faculty and students. 

National Education Policy opened opportunity for academia – Industry collaboration. 

A symposium on “Connecting Academia and Industry through Internship”  was organised by Calcutta Chamber of Commerce in association with Department of Higher Education, Government of West Bengal on 24th February 2024 in Kolkata. This was unique chamber led initiative to deliberate on various options available to  corporates  ,  educational institutions  faculties , students under new National Education Policy (NEP) to prepare youths of India with focus on West Bengal for wide range of professions from entrepreneurship to  committed  employees of large corporates including Research and Development . 

The symposium was attended by Mr. Manish Jain, IAS Principal Secretary, Department of Higher Education & School Education, Govt. of West Bengal ( Chief Guest ) ,

Mr. Hari Mohan Bangur Managing Director, Shree Cement Ltd ,

Prof. Saibal Chattopadhyay Director- In-charge, Indian Institute of Management , Kolkata, 

Mr. Sajan Bhajanka Chairman, Century Plyboards (India) Ltd (Special guests). 

Mr. Rudra Chatterjee Managing Director Luxmi Tea Co. Pvt. Ltd. was keynote speaker during inaugural session while  Prof. Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay,  Vice Chancellor, Sister Nivedita University was keynote speaker during Business session. 

Rudra Chatterjee during his address   mentioned Employers /Corporate houses need to have open mind while inducting interns in various work functions in  their organisation as well as nurture  and reward creativity of interns so that interns can productively contribute during their internship . Mr. Chatterjee suggested building healthy   working relationship with interns including inculcation of sense of pride as well as happy learning experience for interns .

Mr. Bangur suggested using of interns productively  by   giving freedom to interns to express their  thoughts & ideas to find solutions to various issues / problems. 

Mr. Sajan Bhajanka suggested  transforming internship into memorable learning experience will facililate interns to perform better when inducted in regular workforce in corporate houses. 

While addressing the symposium Mr. Manish Jain mentioned West Bengal Government is open to facililate innovation in education and training methodology across wide spectrum of subjects involving arts , science , technology to prepare youths of the State to face  evolving challenges  in future as well as productively & sustainablely engage  in various work-functions where innovative Internship methods can enrich both academic & practical learning experiences of the students . Enriched & successful Internship experience of the students wIll enhance employability of the students after completion of academic program. 

Prof. Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay mentioned Internship  will provide young students with opportunity for self- discovery. 

Shri K. K. Kejriwal past President of Calcutta Chamber of Commerce played important role in  organising the symposium when academic curriculum and educational cape undergoing   fast spaced evolution with implemention of new National Education Policy .  Calcutta Chamber of Commerce lead path breaking initiative will go long way to promote  academia – industry collaboration not only in West Bengal but across the country and will promote academia- industry cooperation and collaboration , significantly  benefiting the society at large.