Student internships in companies should be treated as a school subject and evaluated so that both young people and employers get what they need on the labour market, says the dean of the Executive School of Economics and Management in Belgrade, Professor Anna Bovan.
“Learning without working is ineffective. Classical educational theories have proven that and that is why more and more people are moving in that direction in developed markets,” she said.
Student internships do exist in Serbia. For example, since 2010, the University of Belgrade and the Belgrade authorities, together with the Career Development Centre, have been holding the BG Internship Programme that helps students acquire practical knowledge. Until this year, more than 2,000 students from 27 faculties of the University of Belgrade have attended the programme.
However, many faculties do not include internships in regular ESPB credits, nor is internship mandatory to complete the studies.
Professor Bovan says that in countries like Spain, France and the United Kingdom, students’ CVs are much better than in Serbia and include work experience, volunteering and travel, which makes it easier for employers to take them on and train them further.
As an example of an excellent education system, Bovan mentions grande école schools in France (higher education for professional or technological training). “This school format in France is something that could really be applied here as well. Of course, with regulatory changes,” she said.
“It is very important that companies know what they want from their future employees, especially those that have been around for a long time, i.e. that they have very clear requirements on the labour market,” said Bovan and added that it is crucial that companies cooperate with educational institutions in order to find the best solution for everyone.
(Bloomberg Adria, 28.10.2022)
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