The School of Communication Studies (SCS) ran its first Professional Internship (PI) Programme in academic year 1996/97 from 8 July to 21 December 1996, a stretch of 24 weeks. Ninety-six final year undergraduates were attached to 47 local and two overseas organisations. At the end of the attachment, both the interns and organisations were asked to provide feedback on the attachment.

More than 84 percent of the interns indicated that they benefited from the PI, while 68 percent rated the support from NTU staff as good, very good or excellent. Most importantly, the feedback from our students showed that the PI contributed to their general business, office, social and personal skills.

About 70 percent of the organisations also expressed positive views about the PI. Ninety-five percent rated the overall performance of our students as good, very good or excellent. This is a significant point for a sustainable long-term training relationship between NTU and the industry.

In the second PI scheduled from 14 July to 27 December 1997, the School of Commuication Studies is grateful to two organisations for awarding scholarships to our interns: Singapore Cable Vision (SCV) for offering an internship/scholarship of $6,000 for an attachment with Wharf Cable, Hong Kong and Hill & Knowlton (SEA) with awarding a scholarship of S$3,000 and an additional monthly allowance of S$500 for an attachment at its Kuala Lumpur branch.

The two students selected, Lee Shu Hui (Hong Kong) and Jacinta Chan Kum Ling (Kuala Lumpur) were extremely happy to have the opportunity to undergo their internship overseas and are enthusiastically preparing for the trip.

SCS is optimistic that its PI Programme will continue to contribute to the training of our students. We appreciate the support and co-operation of all staff and organisations.
 

The Asia Pacific is a region with diverse geography, cultures, demographics, politics and religions. The oppotunity to work in KL will be my first foray into the regional market. Through this internship, I have to learn to exercise flexibility to deal with the different market. This overseas experience will definitely allow me a chance to acquire diplomacy skills as well as professional skills.

- Jacinta Chan, on her feelings about her Kuala Lumpur internship.

I'm more than thrilled to be going to Hong Kong. In fact, I am counting the days to my departure when I can finally set off to the Pearl of the Orient. It will truly be an eye-opener for me...working and learning in a different  country, sampling a different lifestyle, witnessing the changes occurring in the new Chinese state after the recent handover, and of course not forgetting, enjoying myself shopping during Summer Sale!

- Lee Shu Hui, on her feelings about her Hong Kong internship.