UCOL Whanganui are proud to have introduced a collaborative internship programme with National Institute of Technology Tsuruoka College in Japan and Whanganui & Partners, following a recent visit to Japan in May.
UCOL Whanganui are proud to have introduced a collaborative internship programme with National Institute of Technology Tsuruoka College in Japan and Whanganui & Partners, following a recent visit to Japan in May.
Jan MacGibbon, Academic Portfolio Manager Early Childhood Education & Languages, says the trip to Japan included representatives from Whanganui & Partners, Iwi, and local Whanganui businesses and explored opportunities across a range of cities in Japan, including those in the tertiary education sector.
As part of this visit, UCOL signed a collaborative agreement with the Whanganui District Council and National Institute of Technology Tsuruoka College around student opportunities within the Whanganui region.
“The first joint opportunity that we have had come to fruition is an internship programme where two associate degree students were based at UCOL Whanganui and worked with local businesses to provide innovative product solutions in an effort to support local businesses who want to future-proof or investigate something but don’t quite have the capacity."
"While here, students are able to experience all that Whanganui has to offer through the collaboration with Whanganui & Partners. They really enjoyed their stay in Whanganui; they were very well looked after."
“Following our visit to Japan earlier this year, we were quick to initiate this inaugural internship. Reika Abe, a 5th-year organic chemistry major, and Riko Sato, a 4th-year chemistry and biology major, came from the National Institute of Technology Tsuruoka College, KOSEN, for four weeks and worked with Karetu Honey to deliver a honey hand cream,” explains MacGibbon.
“Riko and Reika participated in the programme and undertook some exceptional work, really impressing everyone. During their time with us, they created over 30 hand cream samples and collaborated with our UCOL beauty students to gather real-life feedback, enabling them to refine their samples continuously.
“During their trip, they took the opportunity to experience life ‘as a kiwi’, from feeding lambs and horse-riding for the full kiwi-farm experience, exploring the huge variety of sites and experiences we’re proud to have in Whanganui, and connecting with other students from UCOL. It provided a great opportunity for them to both learn and apply their knowledge, while also significantly improving their knowledge of New Zealand and their English language skills.”
“Following the fabulous success of this inaugural internship, we’re looking forward to the next one, which we’re intending to have happen annually.”