Lucknow: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University students will now be able to pursue virtual internships from the academic session 2026-2027. It is a new initiative that integrates online internships into its academic credit system to enhance students’ practical exposure. Students will earn one academic credit for every 30 hours of virtual internship completed. The university administration has prepared detailed guidelines to ensure smooth implementation. These internships will be for engineering students pursuing computer engineering, IT and engineering.According to Dean UG Prof Anurag Tripathi, Dean UGSE, this initiative is in sync with the National Education Policy 2020, focusing on skill-based learning.He said a student will not need to go anywhere for internships as he or she can do it online from anywhere. It will save both time and resources of the students.Moreover, students who undertake these virtual internships will be formally recognised by their colleges and awarded academic credits, he stated. The programme not only enhances practical skills but also significantly strengthens a student’s resume for future career opportunities.AKTU has signed MoUs with IBM, SmartBridge, NIELIT, Infosys, Nemi and Softpro to offer both paid and unpaid online internships to students of the university and its affiliated colleges.Meanwhile, AKTU Vice-Chancellor Prof J P Pandey said students in their third, fifth and seventh semesters are eligible to undertake a minimum of 60 hours of internship, which will translate into two academic credits. These virtual internships will be treated as mini projects, in alignment with the National Credit Framework, which stipulates that 30 hours of practical work equals one credit. The evaluation process will be carried out jointly by industry partners and the university.
