Doha: Students at Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) will soon have the opportunity to earn school credit and gain professional experience through a newly launched internship programme at Silatech, a Qatar-based NGO that promotes entrepreneurship and job creation for young people in the Arab world.
An MoU in this regard was signed on June 1, 2014.
Students accepted to the internship programme will receive training and education, and be assigned a mentor to oversee assigned duties.
This will give them the opportunity to apply theories and skills they learned in the classroom and gain professional experience while working to promote Silatech’s research and policy work.
Those who complete internship will earn one academic credit towards their Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar degree.
Dr Gerd Nonneman, Dean, GU-Q, described the agreement as a natural collaboration between institutions with a shared mission to promote human development in the region.
“Our international affairs curriculum, which is the same programme offered on Georgetown’s main campus in Washington DC, prepares students to think critically on the most important social, political and economic issues we face regionally, and internationally.
“Combined with their strong writing and research skills, these future leaders will contribute to Silatech’s work, while receiving professional experience that serves as a critical stepping stone for future career possibilities.”
Dr Tarik Yousef, CEO, Silatech, said: “One of the benefits Silatech enjoys by being in Doha is having access to the vibrant intellectual and academic community.
“While in the short-term, Silatech will benefit from the fresh perspectives brought by Georgetown students, in the long-term Qatar will benefit through the expansion of local professional capacity in the entrepreneurship and development sectors.”
Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.3, with preference to juniors and seniors, though sophomores may be considered.
Internship will require academic work at GU-Q in addition to that done for Silatech.
As part of this work, students will complete biweekly summaries and reading responses, attend a 1.5 hour biweekly meeting on campus, and develop a final ePortfolio or similar final project, with an emphasis on connecting theory to practice. The initial period of time for the agreement is three years. The Peninsula
