An Undergraduate Biosciences Internship Program in a Low-Resource Setting: Opportunities and Challenges
Abstract
Makerere University institutionalised internship in 2011 with the goal of producing practically-oriented graduates meeting the job-related competences of their future employers. Using students’ internship reports from 2011 to 2018, this paper examines whether undergraduate Biochemistry (Major) internship contributes to work-place readiness. Four categories of internship host organisations were identified: Industry, Clinical, Analytical and Research. Students were exposed to laboratory techniques in 6 major specialties: Molecular Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Diagnostics, Chemistry and Physicalanalytics. 48% of students reported additional experiences, the most common being data analysis, presentations and report writing. The benefits of internship reported include gaining new skills and/or knowledge, networking, and experience of a professional environment. Challenges included inadequate laboratory space, supplies, and limited safety gear. Notwithstanding the challenges of implementing an undergraduate biosciences internship program in a less-industrialised country context, students have relevant hands-on laboratory exposure and the opportunity to gain “employability skills” that enhance their work-place readiness.
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