VTU Internship Drive: Over 80,400 Students Secure Placements, 600 Still Await Approval
In a significant development for engineering education in Karnataka, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has announced that the vast majority of its seventh-semester students have successfully secured mandatory internships through the university's centralized portal. According to official data released by VTU on Wednesday evening, approximately 80,400 out of 81,000 registered students have received internship approvals, leaving only around 500-600 students still awaiting confirmation as the application deadline passed.
Comprehensive Portal Implementation and Placement Statistics
The university introduced a common internship portal to streamline the application process and ensure transparency. Of the total registrations:
- 42,000 students secured free internships through the portal
- 8,000 students had their self-arranged internships approved by the university
- The remaining placements came through various other arrangements facilitated by the portal
VTU Vice-Chancellor Vidyashankar S emphasized that the portal was designed specifically to combat the issue of fake certificates that had plagued the internship system in previous years. "We implemented this comprehensive internship portal to control the fake certificates that students used to submit earlier," he stated during a press briefing.
Enhanced Monitoring and Quality Assurance Measures
Concerned about the quality and seriousness of internship experiences, VTU has announced several new monitoring mechanisms:
- Lecturer Supervision Squads: Colleges will appoint dedicated lecturers to monitor students throughout their internship period
- Daily Learning Diaries: Students must maintain detailed records of their daily learning experiences
- Company Infrastructure Checks: Inspection teams will visit all participating companies to verify facilities and resources
"The lecturers will constantly watch students to ensure internships are completed in all seriousness," explained Vice-Chancellor Vidyashankar. "We found that many students are seeking online internships. They contacted companies and applied only if they could pursue it online. This clearly shows some of the students are not serious about it."
Addressing Student Concerns and Company Malpractices
The university has acknowledged receiving complaints about some companies that initially offered free internships but later demanded payment from students. VTU has warned of disciplinary action against such organizations and emphasized that the inspection squads will thoroughly vet all participating companies.
Former VTU executive committee member G Rakesh highlighted additional challenges, noting that "around 14,000 companies are offering internships through the portal." He cautioned about potential misuse of technology, stating, "At this time, there is a possibility that students may misuse artificial intelligence. Internship coordinators must be alert about this."
Student Experiences and Implementation Workshop
While most students have successfully navigated the new system, some faced challenges. One student shared, "When the university asked us to apply through the portal, I tried applying, but they were all asking for money. So I decided to stick to the internship I fetched for myself via LinkedIn. I still did not get the approval. I am worried about what will happen about my internship."
To ensure smooth implementation, VTU conducted a specialized workshop on internship procedures at BMS College of Engineering for coordinators from various educational institutions. The workshop focused on proper implementation protocols and addressing student concerns effectively.
The university has instructed coordinators to be particularly attentive to student problems and resolve them promptly. This comprehensive approach aims to balance accessibility with quality assurance, ensuring that engineering students receive meaningful practical experience that complements their academic learning.
