University of the People (UoPeople), one of the largest online universities in the US, has partnered with Internships, a global leader in guaranteed internship placements, to offer remote internships to all its students. This collaboration aims to enhance the University’s academic programs by providing real-world experiences for its diverse student body.
With technology constantly reshaping how people work and learn, remote internships have emerged as an innovative solution to bridge the gap between education and employment. The alliance will provide hands-on experience in a digital landscape, where students can acquire practical skills that complement their academic knowledge. Another key aspect of this partnership is its ability to impact a wide range of students, including those facing unique challenges, such as refugees, migrants, disabled students, and those living in remote parts of the world who cannot physically access in-person internships. For many of these students, their only option for employment is working remotely.
Commenting on the collaboration, the President of UoPeople, Shai Reshef, said:
This partnership supports UoPeople’s mission to open the gates to higher education to all qualified students around the globe, provide them with quality degree programs, and help them succeed when they graduate. Through virtual internships, UoPeople is providing our students with critical access to real-world experiences and job opportunities that will greatly enhance their online and on-site employability.
Reshef added:
Whether it is a Syrian student living in a refugee camp, an Afghan woman studying from the safety of her home, or an American student living on a remote farm, they all will have the same opportunity to take part in an internship that can transform their lives for the better. We are empowering the workforce of the future to be successful anywhere in the world.
The association between UoPeople and Virtual Internships will provide remote internship possibilities for students to get valuable job experience, develop professional networks, and enhance their employability regardless of geographical location or personal circumstances. Remote internships provide students with benefits that extend beyond geographical borders.
University of the People helps qualified high school graduates overcome financial, geographic, political, and personal constraints keeping them from collegiate studies. The University offers certificate, associate, and bachelor’s degree programs in business administration, computer science, and health science, as well as MBA, MSIT, and M.Ed. programs. The University began its new academic year with more than 137,000 students from over 200 countries worldwide, including more than 16,500 refugees. UoPeople collaborates with Harvard Business School Online, NYU Abu Dhabi, McGill University, and the University of Edinburgh and has been supported by foundations such as the Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Hewlett Foundation.
Daniel Nivern, CEO and co-founder of Virtual Internships, commented:
At Virtual Internships, our mission is to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world work experience. We believe that internships should be accessible to every student, regardless of their background, geography, or any other barriers that they may face. We’re excited to partner with the University of the People, which shares our values around accessibility and innovation. Together, we aim to close the access gap for high-quality internships, ensuring students are primed and ready for the future job market.
Virtual Internships removes the traditional barriers to internships so that students can access relevant career opportunities regardless of their location or background. It has a network of 13,000+ host companies in 18 career fields, ensuring every student gains the skills and experience to enter the workforce with confidence. In July this year, the company announced its collaboration with Landmark College, the premier institution for students with learning differences.
