STUDENT PLACEMENT AT FOICDT

1. The Rationale 

Instilled within the curriculum of all the new programmes at the Faculty, the Industrial Training (ICDT 2200) aims at providing students with real-life work experience and on-the-job training which helps to bridge the gap between academia and industry.  Its special work-linked features enable learning to take place at, through, and be centred on the working environment.  The training provides students opportunities to apply what they have learned in class and develop further their skills.  It allows students to engage in planned practice experience during which the trainee undergraduates develop core competencies.  An approach that is learner-centred, reflective, collaborative and mentor (industry supervisor) supported are enforced.  The training makes students of the Faculty more aware of the needs and expectations of the industry as well as making them more employment ready.  In addition, it will facilitate the task of the Faculty in seeking accreditation from international professional bodies for its programme of studies.

2. Objectives

• To provide opportunities for students to apply theoretical knowledge and skills acquired at the University into real-life work situation;
• To develop awareness about the workplace environment  and build interpersonal skills;
• To expose students to common professional practices, employment opportunities and ethics in the field of IT;
• To build rapport and network with future employers to enhance students’ employability;

• To provide a safe, fair and equitable work learning experience.

3. The Structure 

ICDT 2200 Industrial Training is of 10 weeks duration and is offered to level 2 students at the end of the second semester (June to August).  The training takes place at particular placement settings and involves collaborative partnership working including the student, the mentor (from the organisation) and the academics (from the Faculty).  Students are expected to develop core professional competencies during the training which may include communication, team working, numeracy, decision making, project management, programming, ethical and innovative skills among others.

 Students need to submit a portfolio at the end of the training, providing evidence of their learning achievement during their 10 weeks placement.  The portfolios are assessed by academics and successful students are awarded ‘S’ for satisfactory completion of the module.

4.The Modus Operandi 

4.1 Registration

1. Students need to register provisionally for ICDT 2200 module on the second semester as per existing procedures on the student Online Module Registration System (OMRS)
2. Confirmation of registration will be subject to the availability of placement.  

4.2 Process for Placement

Students are encouraged to seek their own placement.  However, the Faculty will facilitate the placement process and will assist students in the placement exercise.  Each department has its Department Training Coordinators (DTCs) who coordinate the placement exercise.  During the placement, students are supported by mentors at work settings and are monitored by Academics Training Supervisors (ATS) from the Faculty.  

4.3 Orientation

The DTCs organise an orientation session for the students prior to their placement.  Code of conduct, the format of the portfolio as well as submission process are detailed to students.  Students are provided with appropriate guidelines.

4.4 Training Exercise

During the ten weeks training, students are under the supervision of a mentor/s at the hosting organisation, assigned by the placement organisation.  The mentor/s  provide the necessary learning opportunities for students to develop core professional skills.  They provide the necessary guidance for students to acquire and enhance their knowledge at the workplace.  They also monitor the attendance of students and endorse the achievement of the students at the end of the training.  Each student is assigned an ATS who visits the work setting to provide additional support. 

At the end of the training period, the students need to complete a portfolio with relevant evidence of learning achieved duly signed by their mentor/s.  They submit the same to their ATS within one week after the training is over.  The ATS will assess the portfolio and report to the DTC who will thereafter proceed with organising the exam board. 

4.5 Role of the student

The Student is required to:

• engage fully during the planned industrial experience in order to achieve the stipulated learning outcomes;
• inform the Academic Training Supervisor of any issue which is likely to affect the achievement of the learning outcomes for the training programmes;
• conform to the regulations and policies of the placement organisation;
• maintain the confidentiality of any sensitive information concerning the organisation and its business;
• notify the mentor of the placement organisation and the Academic Training Supervisor, in advance where possible, of any absences or lateness from scheduled work hours in line with the University protocol; 
• adapt to the placement organisation’s culture, methods, leadership and programmes; 
• consult the mentor in the event of any problems or concerns related to the training provisions; 
• submit to the Academic Training Supervisor the specific portfolio assigned following completion of  the planned training experience;
• be an ambassador of the University when gaining industrial experience.

5. Applicable regulations

 Existing UoM Regulations (Chapter 2 of General Regulations for students) are applied, however, the following “customised” regulations are relevant:

 Attendance and Progress

 “A student are required to attend regularly his scheme of study i.e. his/her placement (normally at least 80% attendance) and to submit written work by the appointed dates. The Senate may, on the recommendation of the Faculty, suspend or preclude from the further study any student whose attendance or progress is deemed to be unsatisfactory.

Absence due to ill health must immediately be notified by the student to the DTC through the ATS.

A student who is unable to attend his/her placement for more than three days, for any reason must notify, in writing, the DTC through his/her ATS, and supply relevant documentation with copy to his/her mentor/s.  It is the responsibility of the student to make up for missed days and to complete the relevant requirements of the industrial training.”

6. List of placement providers

The list below is not restrictive.  Students are encouraged to seek placement from any IT related potential placement providers.