EXPANDING HORIZONS: RESEARCH ON IT INTERNSHIP BEST PRACTICES AND DESIGN OF THE “CODE & TRAVEL” PROGRAM

Abstract

This academic paper explores a dual-focused investigation aimed at enhancing the quality of university education, specifically addressing the organization of annual student internships and the development of the “Code & Travel” program at IT Park University (ITPU), an online institution founded by EPAM Systems in Uzbekistan.

The first aspect of this study delves into a detailed analysis of the best practices employed by universities worldwide for organizing annual student internships at the end of each academic year. This part of the research encapsulates the findings, strategies, and techniques that leading universities employ to enhance the educational experiences of their students and prepare them for the professional world.

The second component introduces the groundbreaking “Code & Travel” initiative, designed to offer ITPU students international internship opportunities in leading IT companies, akin to the concept of the “Work & Travel” program in the USA.

Our collaboration with EPAM Systems sparked the inception of this joint initiative, as we explored possibilities for cooperation, ultimately giving rise to the introduction of this research. Conceived in 2022 (Создан Цифровой Университет IT-Park University, 2022), the vision for ITPU was to establish a

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prominent IT university in Central Asia. ITPU enlisted our assistance to formulate strategic priorities, with a specific emphasis on advancing annual internships post each academic year. The overarching goal was to glean insights from global best practices and provide tailored recommendations for the enhancement of ITPU's educational framework.

During discussions on strategic priorities, the client introduced the concept of the “Code & Travel” initiative, providing us with the opportunity to concentrate on this specific project following the broader scope of our initial work. This visionary program, tailored exclusively for ITPU students in the realm of IT, took shape as a distinct project.