EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERNSHIP AND WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING PROGRAMS IN INDIAN HIGHER EDUCATION

Internships are structured, often short-term placements within organizations where students gain practical experience related to their field of study. They serve as a bridge between academic learning and professional practice, allowing students to apply classroom theories to real-world scenarios. For instance, in the field of information technology, internships provide students with opportunities to develop both technical and general competencies, aligning their skills with industry standards. Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) is an educational approach that integrates academic studies with practical work experiences, enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. This method enhances learning and bolsters employability by providing first hand industry exposure. To accommodate working students in finding a willing industrial company to fulfil their WIL requirement, the introduction of a modular WIL program is aimed at providing a space to groom more skilled hands in a flexible mechanism allowing students to complete their qualification, made of compulsory and optional practical combined subjects. WIL encompasses various formats, each tailored to different educational and professional objectives.