A programme that started with just 8 students getting an opportunity to intern in two Multinational Companies in the year 2012, has come a long way since its inception. It has been incredible to receive such an overwhelming response, with many more partners collaborating with Asha to provide a platform for the young talent of slums.
Entering its 7th year, Asha’s Internship programme was formally launched on 25th May 2018 at Australian High Commission. This is the third consecutive launch they have hosted so generously.
Australian Deputy High Commissioner, Rod Hilton welcomed the new batch of interns and acknowledged all the partners present for the launch. He thanked Asha for all the wonderful work it is doing and the real difference it is making to the lives of the people. He applauded the internship initiative and expressed pride on behalf of Australia High Commission for being a part of this programme since its beginning.
Mr Hilton complimented the students for having received Internship opportunities on basis of merit and through their service to the community, a programmed named pay it forward. Talking about the long-standing partnership between Asha and Australian High Commission, he cited the example of Asha graduate, Mahinder, who is currently pursuing his master in the prestigious Melbourne University.
Ex Internship Co-ordinator, Nadia Stuewer, formally welcomed all the existing and new partners along with the intern batch of summer 2018. In her welcome note, Nadia shared, ‘’I am a big fan of Asha and its work. In my two years of being an Internship Co-ordinator, I have benefited greatly, and it has been a learning process for me”.
Thanking the partners, she spoke about the important role internship plays in the lives of these youngsters and advised the partners to address every small and big query of the students and to be very supportive of them, as this experience becomes a turning point in the lives of many. She also encouraged partners to provide job placement opportunity to interns in future. She also advised the students to not be shy and to believe in themselves throughout their journey and to shine bright, wherever they are.
Acting High Commissioner Suzannah Jessep, New Zealand High Commission thanked Australian High Commission for hosting the event. Speaking about the partnership, Suzannah in her speech said, ‘’It has been a pleasure working with Asha. By opening our doors to the Asha students, we get to learn too’’.
Australian High Commissioner, HE Harinder Sidhu, who attended briefly, conveyed her best wishes to the students and commended them for their hard work and zeal they possessed to change their lives.
Asha student Gulafsha shared the benefits of the Internship programme through her inspiring story with the audiences.
Ayesha Seymour, Senior Programme Officer at Asha, in her thank you note, thanked the partners for their valuable contribution and cited examples of success stories of Asha graduates who are working for some of the most prestigious companies and organizations across the country today.
Till last year, 290 students had received internship opportunities across various Multinational Companies and High Commissions. This year, around sixty-five students have been selected for Internships, making it the highest number of internships provided so far in a year. We are delighted to have new partners on board that include Norwegian Embassy, French Embassy, Israel Embassy, Greece Embassy & Belgium Embassy.
The event concluded with the interns and partners interacting and chatting followed by group photo to mark the launch of yet another successful year.
