The promotion of international and cross-cultural cooperation, knowledge and understanding is one aspect of the strategic partnership between NOVA University Lisbon (NOVA) and Aga Khan University (AKU).
In this context, AKU offers an international Internships Programme. This year, however, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, AKU pivoted to pilot a Virtual Internship Programme that brings students and mentors to work together remotely, allowing students to contribute their knowledge, build their skills and navigate their careers through these uncertain times.
Leonor Leitão, student of Statistics and Information Management at NOVA, accepted the challenge of a virtual Summer internship and was one of the 45 interns recruited for the programme among 350 applicants. The other selected students came from nine top universities - namely Brown University, University of Washington, University of Alberta, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, University of Waterloo, Simon Fraser University, and Western University.
Leonor shares her experience as positive and successful:
“My internship at Aga Khan University was held in the University Partnerships Office as a Data Analytics and Research Intern. My experience in AKU has been an amazing journey as it was my first experience of working remotely and professionally. It has been great to work in such an environment and to be able to work on meaningful projects as well. This Virtual Internship Programme gave me many great things such as global networking, time management and discipline, remote working skills and cross-cultural competences. Overall, it was a wonderful opportunity to learn and get better understanding of the culture of the University.”