‘Overall, I’d say the internship has enhanced my personal growth and independence,’ says Yap (far left) who is currently interning at Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour in France.
WHEN Amanda Yap embarked on her seven-month internship in France this year, she did not expect it to be the life-changing experience that it has been.
“My time here has been an invaluable contribution to my self-development both for my education and future career. I’ve developed self-confidence, intercultural communication skills, and adaptability, just to name a few new skills,” she says.
The 22-year old, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering at Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), is currently interning at Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour (UPPA) in France under the Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility programme funded by the European Union.
Yap, who is working on a project called Dynamic Modelling of Biological Two Phase Methanation Reactor, has been able to build a good model and numerical programme, and successfully produced results with clear and precise analysis.
Her supervisor Professor Frédéric Marias found Yap a motivated student with good interpersonal skills.
However, it wasn’t all research and study during her stint in France. In her spare time, Yap soaked up the French culture and experienced the local way of life. She also made friends with fellow students from the US, Poland, Morocco, Australia, Latvia, to name a few.
“I also took the chance to master French. I took a three-month French course and practised my skills with the locals.
“Overall, I’d say the internship has enhanced my personal growth and independence. I’ve found that many experiences have taught me that the world has countless views and it is greater than we could possibly comprehend. So, the more we learn, the more we realise how little we actually know,” she says.
‘They leave as boys and girls and come back as men and women with cultured and professional mannerism,’ says Nurlidia on UTP’s student internship experience.
Associate Professor Dr Nurlidia Mansor, who is UTP senior director Centre for Student Development, Student Affairs, is not surprised by Yap’s feedback about her internship experience.
The university, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, has a wealth of experience when it comes to crafting the student internship experience, and it remains the only university in the country with such an extensive internship programme.
This is one of UTP’s unique selling propositions, says Nurlidia, pointing out that the internship experience sets UTP graduates “miles apart” from their contemporaries.
She adds that the decision to stick with the seven-month duration has been reinforced over the years with successful outcomes.
“It gives students a wholesome understanding of what internship – and working life – is all about. So, they use the skills and knowledge from the classroom on site.
“They leave as boys and girls and come back as men and women with cultured and professional mannerism, as well as a matured outlook, while appreciating the expectations of the industry,” she says, adding that while on internship the students work on real projects and are assessed on how well they complete the projects.
The industry-based projects assigned to the students are to an extent determined by the host companies where they are attached to.
‘UTP has proven to be an effective talent pool repository to bring on board talent for our company and industry,’ says Suresh (front row, centre).
Baker Hughes Asia Pacific Subsurface Energy and Transition director Suresh Sinnappu recalls recent examples of a UTP intern assigned to Baker Hughes’ oilfield services business.
“One student was assigned to a subsurface-related carbon capture and underground storage project for a key customer in the Asia Pacific. Decarbonisation is a growing theme in the region and in this industry, and we were excited to get a fresh perspective in the team.
“Another student was assigned to be part of a diagnostic analytic development team, tasked with collecting and interpreting data to improve customer efficiency,” he says, adding that the interns have the opportunity to interact with customers and immerse themselves in the Baker Hughes culture.
Having established ties with UTP more than a decade ago, Suresh is positive of the collaboration. Student internship, he says, offers real on-the-job training and allows the host organisation to evaluate the capability of the student.
“UTP has proven to be an effective talent pool repository to bring on board talent for our company and industry.”
In most cases, the most apparent change in the interns is the character development.
“When managing a project, it’s important to be on time, on budget, and on schedule. Being able to manage pressure and communicate clearly across the board with diverse groups, of multi-cultures and seniority, is a crucial skill.
“Some swim, some sink. In Baker Hughes, we try as best as possible to ensure group members support and coach the interns where needed. It’s a two-way street. Students who reach out for help and speak up, tend to swim,” he says.
Over the years Nurlidia says UTP has continuously improved the programme to place it on a global level – reviewing it every four years with input from industry partners and advisors to ensure that it meets the university’s goals as well as the expectations of industry.
She adds that over the years, more students have been placed in multinational corporations and government-linked companies.
“We strive to connect and provide opportunities for students to be attached to Tier One companies during internship as we see the trend of them being offered jobs at the same host companies upon graduation,” she says.
The plan going forward is to expand its industry partners – now numbering at 500 – and reach out to more companies. To date, industry partners mainly include those in the oil and gas, manufacturing, automotive, banking and consulting sectors.
