MAJOR PARTNERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE OF THE SERVICE SECTOR

With the protocol signed between ETO and Anadolu University, students from the Culinary Arts, Office Management and Executive Assistance, Foreign Trade, Real Estate Management, Marketing, and Tourism and Hotel Management departments will intern at ETO member businesses during their final semester. This will allow students to spend a quarter of their university life gaining hands-on experience in the workplace.

An important step has been taken by Anadolu University and the Eskişehir Chamber of Commerce to enhance the quality of the local service sector and provide students pursuing service-related education with practical experience. The cooperation protocol for an internship program focused on the service sector was signed between Eskişehir Chamber of Commerce and Anadolu University. The protocol was signed on Wednesday, November 25, by ETO President Metin Güler and Anadolu University Rector Prof. Dr. Fuat Erdal. Anadolu University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Fatih Temizel, Director of Eskişehir Vocational School Prof. Dr. Aslı Afşar, and ETO board members were also present at the signing ceremony.

Internship opportunities for students from six departments in ETO member businesses

Thanks to this protocol, students from the Culinary Arts, Office Management and Executive Assistance, Foreign Trade, Real Estate Management, Marketing, and Tourism and Hotel Management departments will complete internships in the fourth semester at businesses that are members of ETO. The students’ insurance will be covered by the university, while companies will be responsible for covering meals and transportation expenses. The internship program will begin in the spring semester of 2021 if the pandemic subsides; otherwise, it will start in the spring of 2022.

The internship program will benefit both students and companies

During the protocol ceremony, ETO President Metin Güler emphasized that the internship program aims to contribute to both the development of a skilled workforce and the growth of Eskişehir’s service sector. He noted that experience is crucial for professional life and that the internship program will provide students with the opportunity to gain firsthand insights into the working world, while also helping companies stay updated. Güler expressed that the protocol will encourage local businesses to adopt the habit of hiring interns and highlighted that ETO is open to further collaborations with universities in new areas.

Workplace experience is a valuable opportunity for students

Anadolu University Rector Prof. Dr. Fuat Erdal also emphasized the importance of learning by doing and gaining work experience for career development. He stated that the opportunity for students to spend a quarter of their academic life gaining practical experience is seen as an advantage, and they aim to expand the scope of the internship program in the future. Erdal added that Eskişehir Chamber of Commerce is a valuable institution for the city and that the university plans to further strengthen its cooperation with ETO.