UK students eager to gain work experience in India

Prasun Sonwalkar

London, Aug 4 (PTI) British students completing their
business and finance related courses are keen to gain work
experience in companies based in India, according to the
UK-India Business Council.

Ten British students from various universities have
begun their work experience with Indian companies on winning
the UK-India Business Council (UKIBC) Scholarship scheme 2009.

"UKIBC has noticed a clear trend where British students
are keen to gain work experience in India and are looking to
start their career with Indian companies. They see this work
experience opportunity as a way to assess whether the Indian
work environment is a suitable place to explore such a career
opportunity," a UKIBC spokesperson said.

The 10 students have secured paid work experience with a
range of companies based in India from banks to social
enterprises. The scholarship offers an opportunity to gain
work experience in an emerging market and adds to their
attractiveness as a potential employee.

Sharon Bamford, CEO of UKIBC, said: "This exchange will
strengthen our aim to position 'modern' India in the minds of
the next generation and also strengthen the business, trade
and investment ties between India and the UK."

British High Commissioner Sir Richard Stagg also supports
the idea of linking up education institutions with businesses
and increasing student exchange and internship flows between
the two countries, the UKIBC said.

Stuart Jempson from Bath University, one of the 10
students to have won the scholarship says, "Having studied in
Singapore, I would consider Asia and India as a destination
for my career. These next few months will help me concrete
this decision."

For Simon Milward from Cambridge University the
opportunity to gain work experience in India is ideal as he
wants to have a career in social enterprise. "I want to take
this scholarship as an opportunity to work in India,
especially with the poor. India is one of my preferred
destinations."

Ranjot Singh Jhalli from Kingston University adds, "Due
to India's shift towards becoming a global power, I feel that
this experience would be hugely beneficial to me."

Ian Gomes, Partner and Chairman of High Growth Markets,
KPMG, which is one of the companies hosting the scholars,
said, "As the epicentre of business activity moves towards the
emerging markets, it is inevitable that future generations of
international managers will require hands on experience of
working and operating in these markets if they wish to
progress their careers rapidly.

"It's never too early to build a better understanding of
new peoples, their cultures and work styles in today's
globalised world."

The UKIBC scholars are on eight-week, paid internship with
accommodation in India under UKBC's 'Next Generation'
programme. The objective is to provide UK students with an
opportunity to gain work experience in India and get a true
insight and understanding of 21st Century India. PTI