The Australia India Institute (AII) in Melbourne and the Australia India Institute @ Delhi are accepting expressions of interest from interns to participate in the Victoria India Internship Program (VIIP). The program is supported by the Victoria Government through the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources.
The VIIP aims to engage students studying at Victorian education providers with meaningful professional and personal engagement with India. The internships will help to develop and enhance skills and understanding of the Indian market and company culture, connect employers with talented young Victorians via international workplaces or Indian workplace environments and increase awareness about trade relations between Victoria and India.
This program caters to all students, both national and international, who have studied in a Victorian education provider. Expressions of interest are invited from students who have either graduated with a degree or diploma or are near graduating.
The AII will facilitate internship placements at Indian companies and organisations based and operating in India (10 positions) or at Indian companies operating in Victoria (5 positions). The roles being offered are in Indian companies that have an established track record in the fields of IT, Pharmaceuticals, Banking, Commerce, Consulting, Trade and Investment, E-Learning, Healthcare, Agriculture, Engineering, Education, Tourism, Resources or Finance.
Internships will run for 6 – 12 weeks between October 2016 and March 2017. Applicants will be responsible for arranging their own travel, insurance, visa and accommodation costs for internships based in India.
Applicants are invited to submit a resume and cover letter by COB Friday September 16 2016 identifying their chosen industry of interest and why they should be chosen for an internship placement.
Please submit your expressions of interest, or address any additional questions or queries to aii-internships@unimelb.edu.au.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of this internship program?
The program provides Victorian tertiary students from either the University sector or TAFEs with life-changing experiences and the opportunity to undertake a short term overseas internship at a company operating in India or at an Indian company operating in Victoria. It will provide talented Victorians with an opportunity to further develop their skills, gain insight about cultural awareness of Indian culture and the workplace, and create global networks and ultimately strengthen relations between India and Victoria.
Who is eligible to apply?
Expressions of interest are invited from students who have either graduated with a degree or diploma or are near graduating from a Victorian education provider. This internship program caters to all students, both national and international, who have studied in a Victorian institution.
The program is not open to students from India, or to Australian students who have not completed tertiary studies in Victoria.
Why India?
India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and is a very important trading partner for Victoria and Australia. For example, India is home to one of the fastest growing IT industries in the world and a major exporter of software industries. Some of the other areas where Indian companies are doing cutting-edge work are biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, manufacturing and electronic industries. The program offers a unique experience for young professionals to work in an Indian environment, either in India or in Victoria, providing an opportunity to become part of a global workforce.
Where are the internships located?
The locations for the internships in India will be New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai or Pune. Victoria internships are located in Melbourne.
What is the duration of the internships?
The internships will run for 6 to 12 weeks depending on the needs of the host organisation and complexity of the project. The positions are based on full-time employment.
Do the applicants interested in internships in India have to apply and pay for their own tickets, visa and insurance?
Yes, interns will be required to make arrangements for accommodation, insurances, passport, visa, living expenses and travel costs between India and Australia. In some cases the education providers in Victoria may provide assistance or host organisations may assist with accommodation or allowances (on a case by case basis). Living expenses in India will vary between $250 and $800 per week depending on location and type of accommodation sought.
What type of visa should I apply for if going to India?
Interns will need to apply for either an Entry or Business visa via VFS Global. Visas cost between $200-$400 and applications are assessed by the Indian Consulate on a case-by-case basis. The time for processing depends on the circumstances of each applicant.
Are the internships accredited?
No these internships are not normally accredited. The aim is to provide meaningful professional and personal engagement with India. You may wish to seek accreditation from your education provider.
Will interns receive any remuneration or allowances?
The host companies will provide support to interns in the workplace and may provide other benefits in accordance with relevant company policy.
How long will the application process take?
After receiving expressions of interest from interns, the Australia India Institute will provide host organisations with a short list of candidates to review and/or interview. Interested applicants will be advised if they have been short-listed and of the outcome by mid-October 2016.
Will successful applicants be provided with an orientation program?
All successful applicants will be provided with a pre-departure orientation and induction program prior to accepting internships.
Are there any language expectations for interns going to India?
This is not essential, however it would be desirable to acquaint yourself with basic conversational Hindi. The pre-departure orientation will cover language and cultural issues.
What support will the Australia India Institute provide?
The AII will run and manage the program on behalf of the Victoria Government and serve as the first point of contact and liaison for both interns and host organisations. The AII will provide induction and pre-departure information sessions for interns where applicable and monitor the progress of the internships on a regular basis as well as ensure ground support, pastoral duty of care for interns and any troubleshooting assistance. The AII can recommend accommodation options if required.
Helpful websites:
http://india.accommodationforstudents.com/
http://www.expatarrivals.com/india/working-in-india
http://www.expatarrivals.com/india/doing-business-in-india
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/working-abroad/work-in-india