The Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Accra Technical University, Prof. Amevi Acakpovi has launched the 2022 Virtual Internship Programme for students of the University to acquire work experience in a simulated environment.

The programme, under the auspices of the Industrial Liaison Directorate, officially kicked off with a brief ceremony at the University Auditorium on October 31, 2022.

Mr. Prosper Agumey, Director of Industrial Liaison, Delivering the purpose of the gathering, explained that the programme was created to address the difficulties most students encounter while applying for internships. 

Prof. Amevi, in his remarks, outlined the justification for creating the Virtual Internship Programme, stating that it was designed to find a lasting solution for challenges such as lack of space to accommodate the many students that the University has. “We have many students. Let’s say we have 6000 or 7000, or even 8000 students. If you look at Accra, and you try to put everybody at various workplaces, you are likely not to get even 1000 or 2000 to fill the available places”, he said. He added that it was also an opportunity for industry captains to connect and interact with students in an environment that do not present itself in the conventional working space and eliminate the mismatch of a programme of study with work schedules. 

He counselled students to make the most of the programme, treat it like they would in a conventional work environment, and abide by all the rules and regulations governing it. “This period of the virtual internship is not a free period. You need to be there on time and close on time. You can’t be absent as you want”, he stressed, adding that the overall programme counts towards students’ credits which will be added to their results in the coming semester. He also advised participating students to be disciplined and show maximum respect to their trainers. 

The programme was graced by representatives from organisations such as DK Technologies, GH Media, and Atlantic International Holdings Limited billed to offer practical training to participating students. 

The VIP is an annual programme instituted for displaced students during internship allocation, an opportunity to be practically equipped in a simulated work environment.