UniPod Internship Programme
Are you a fully registered student at the Copperbelt University or a recent graduate in the class of 2023 and below the age of 35? Do you have an innovation project that aims to improve operational efficiency or solve real world challenges and address the sustainable development goal?
The University Innovation Pod (UniPod) Internship Programme welcomes you to further refine your innovation with access to modern infrastructure and academic and industry experience while gaining firsthand knowledge on how to run an innovation hub and design thinking.
Overview
The UniPod Internship Program (UIP) is essential for bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical experience in running an innovation hub, implementing programmes and supporting innovators through the innovation process as well as gaining the soft skills for people management. By providing access to state-of-the-art digital fabrication, creative arts, fabrics and textiles, computer aided design technologies, and design thinking methodologies, the program equips students with the practical skills and innovative mindset necessary to tackle real-world challenges.
This hands-on approach not only enhances technical competence but also fosters creativity and problem-solving abilities, preparing students to contribute effectively to the modern industry trends upon graduation.
Furthermore, the program promotes multidisciplinary collaboration and the development of commercially viable products, contributing significantly to the innovation ecosystem. By involving students from various disciplines and encouraging them to work on diverse projects, the program facilitates the exchange of ideas and fosters teamwork, communication, and project management skills.
Objectives
The objective of the UIP is to provide a structured yet flexible environment for young innovators to develop ad refine their innovations. The UniPod Internship Program aims to deepen and broaden the practical experience of students and recent graduates, fostering innovation and technical expertise. The program also emphasizes collaboration, hands-on learning, and the development of commercially viable prototypes. The specific objectives of the programme are:
- 1. To expose a broad range of students across disciplines to the concepts of design thinking and product realization.
- 2. To expose students to innovation hub program design.
- 3. To provide interested students with both the software for design thinking and the equipment and materials to enable prototyping and product development.
- 4. To deepen and broaden the understanding and skills of students in digital fabrication.
- 5. To encourage the production of prototypes that have a high chance of being developed into commercially viable products.
Who can apply?
Applicants must meet the following requirements:- * Fulltime registered CBU students or a recent university graduate (within 2 years of graduation) in Engineering, Humanities, Business and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) faculties.
- * Recent CBU graduates from the faculties above and residing in Kitwe.
- * Individuals with a clearly defined innovative idea/project that clearly addresses a properly defined social challenge or improves operational efficiency and should address one of the Sustainable development goals.
- * Be registered Zambians be below 35 years of age.
- * Have verifiable social media and content creation skills.
Internship requirements
-
As part of the fulfilment of their obligations during the UIP, the interns will be expected to:
- * Commit 6 months to the internship programme.
- * Work for at least 20 hours per week to on their assigned tasks within the Pod.
- * Complete their innovation projects while providing support to their fellow innovators within the pod.
- * Participate in all the training sessions on innovation, design thinking and managing makerspaces.
- * Provide support for the implementation of programmes that will be run in the UniPod including the provision of logistical, administrative and substantive support in the running of programme events.
- * Please read the full terms of reference HERE.
* Female students encouraged to apply.
How to apply?
1. I am 19 years old, am I eligible to apply?
Yes, you are. Anyone below the age of 35 is eligible to apply for the UniPod Internship Programme provided they meet all other requirements.
2. My innovation is still at ideation, can I still apply for the UIP?
Most Certainly! If you can clearly define what the problem your innovation intends to solve and can prove from your application that you have a vision for bringing your idea to prototyping, you must apply.
3. What benefits will I get for being a part of this programme?
All interns will receive an internship certificate of completion at the end of the six months of the internship. Interns will also receive a stipend. In addition to the certificate, interns will get a wide range of exposure to advanced technologies, equipment, and software. Additionally, interns will be able to benefit from exchanges of knowledge within the 12 other pods in the UniPod network.