Bangalore University students to gain from internships at Airports Authority of India

Bengaluru: Undergraduate and postgraduate students at Bangalore University (BU) will soon have the opportunity to intern with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), thanks to a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between BU and AAI.

Internships will be available from the current academic year.

Previously, while internships were mandatory for BU students, finding opportunities was solely the students' responsibility, with certificates required for departmental submission due to their academic weightage. With this MoU, the university will, for the first time, facilitate internship placements directly.

Initially intended only for Commerce students, AAI officials have now opened the programme to students from all streams, including Science and Management. “This opportunity is for all students, even those in Science and Management. We will soon begin shortlisting eligible candidates,” said K Nirmala, Director of Skill Development, BU.

AAI will provide interns with a stipend as well as transportation costs during the internship period. According to university authorities, postgraduate students will take up internships in their third semester, while undergraduates will do so in their fifth semester.

Nirmala explained that students will have a range of opportunities in fields such as travel and tourism, managerial skills, hospitality, finance and accounting, and civil aviation. Internship durations will range from four to 20 weeks.

BU Vice-Chancellor Dr Jayakara SM noted that the MoU was discussed and approved in a recent syndicate meeting.