Prospective Students
ABOUT CO-OP ED (QUICK REFERENCE)
The availability of work integrated learning opportunities is a noted factor in our students' choice of undergraduate experience and university.
Here are six (6) things every (prospective) student should know about Co-op Ed:
- Why should Co-op Ed be of interest to you?
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UTech has introduced Co-op Ed in most of its courses as it seeks to enhance the quality of your university education. Our university is committed to Co-operative Education as it sees it as a means of:
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- enabling you to engage in employment attachments that will allow you to achieve desired learning
outcomes
- equipping you with the necessary skills and competencies, thereby making you a more attractive candidate
for permanent employment
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- To whom is Co-op Ed available?
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All students of the University are eligible to participate in the Co-op Ed programme.
Your participation can either be mandatory or voluntary, depending on the requirements of your course of study.
Co-op Ed modules are normally offered to students who are in their second , third or fourth years of study. However, there are some certificate programmes that require students to complete this module at the end of their first year.
- How will you prepare to participate in Co-op Ed?
- Seek information regarding the existence/ operation of the Co-op Ed programme in your School/ Department from its administrators.
- Participate in Co-op Ed Awareness sessions arranged by your School/ Department at the time stipulated.
- Participate in Employment Empowerment sessions arranged in collaboration with Career and Placement.
- Submit your
résumé at the time stipulated by your School's Co-ordinator.
- Consult regularly your School's/ Department's notice board for Co-op Ed updates.
- Visit regularly the Co-op Ed Web Page for Co-op Ed updates.
- Invest some time in reading the
Co-op Ed Student Guide.
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- How is Co-op Ed placement done?
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Step 1
You are assigned randomly to Co-op Ed employers by the School's / Department's Co-ordinator. You may also initiate your own placement. However, this must be done in consultation with your School’s Co-ordinator.
Step 2
You may be required to participate in interactive sessions with prospective employers prior to placement. It is therefore your responsibility to prepare adequately to market your skills.
- Where will you be placed?
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You may be placed locally, regionally or internationally; normally for periods of between 4 - 30 weeks.
- How will UTech support you in Co-op Ed?
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UTech will:
- seek to provide an "appropriate"
work environment for you while you are on placement
- make available to you and the host organisations, suitable documentation
concerning the relationship among all stakeholders
- maintain a supportive relationship with you through visits, telephone calls and electronic mail