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HIGHER EDUCATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (HEST) PROJECT 

Uganda Manufacturers Association in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports with support from African Development Bank is running an internship program under the Higher Education Science And Technology (HEST) Project mainly for science and technology students.

What is the purpose of the program? The project aims at improving the skills of graduates from tertiary institutions by facilitating and supervising interns placed in industries.

When does the program run? The program runs from 2015 to 2017. Recruitment is from April to May of every year for the internship period of June to August.

Who is eligible? The project mainly (90%) focuses on Science and technology students from Makerere University, Busitema University, Gulu University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology and Muni University.  There has been a consideration of 10% for students taking other courses from Uganda Management Institute and Makerere University Business School who are also eligible to apply.

How will the program work?

Students who join the program shall be recruited by the Benefiting Institutions. They will attend a three-day training at UMA in Workplace Based Skills as a way of orienting them to the program. The students shall thereafter be supported to go to the companies for 2-6 months for industrial training. At the company, the students shall be placed under Company Based Technical Supervisors with whom they will agree on a clear skills acquisition program for the stipulated duration. During that period, UMA will work with the companies and Universities to ensure that the intern acquires the programmed skills for future practical use. 

How do Students Join?  Students interested in the program shall contact University focal persons who will give details of the recruitment procedure. 

Below are the respective University Focal persons

How Do Companies Benefit?

UMA shall mainly focus on identifying students that already had prior knowledge and experience in the working environment and they are about to graduate. Unlike the normal university internships, there will be Training of the interns and also consultative meetings with the participating companies at UMA. The internship will be focusing on employer oriented needs instead of university needs. The intention is also that the intern stays longer (than the 2-3 months ordinary designated for internships) at the company and is facilitated by UMA (HEST Project) according to his/her performance. This ensures that after completion of the internship and depending on the achievements of the intern a company can choose to retain the intern.

How can a company participate in the program?

A company that is interested in students under the program can Download the Internship Acceptance Form and send it to or contact the Internship Placement Officer.

For more details contact:

Email: ; .ug .