In a heartening move that puts students first, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) is taking decisive action to transform the internship landscape for engineering students across Karnataka. The university's comprehensive reform initiative promises to protect students from exploitation while significantly expanding access to meaningful, paid internship opportunities.

VTU Vice-Chancellor Vidyashankar has announced an ambitious plan to ensure every engineering student receives the quality internship experience they deserve. The university is implementing a multi-pronged approach that includes blacklisting companies that charge students fees, creating surprise inspection squads, and forging partnerships with major corporations to dramatically increase internship availability.

The initiative comes as VTU strengthens its innovative online portal system, which already boasts registration from over 2,500 companies committed to providing paid internships. This digital platform represents a significant step forward in connecting students with legitimate opportunities while maintaining oversight and accountability.

"We're committed to ensuring our students gain real-world skills through authentic internship experiences," Vidyashankar shared, outlining the university's vision for comprehensive reform. The new measures include mandatory internship diaries for students, providing an additional layer of verification and ensuring that learning objectives are being met.

Perhaps most exciting is VTU's proactive outreach to major employers. The university is calling meetings with large private companies and government entities to request expanded internship programs. The ambitious goal is to secure commitments for at least 500 internship positions per company annually, which would dramatically increase opportunities for the 85,000 students who qualify for internships each year.

The university recognizes that quality internships are essential for engineering students to acquire necessary skills in their chosen fields. By allocating nine academic credits to internship requirements and mandating a minimum six-month placement during the seventh or eighth semester, VTU demonstrates its commitment to experiential learning.

University principals and administrators are rallying behind these reforms, working collaboratively to identify areas for improvement and ensure student voices are heard. This partnership between administration, faculty, and students creates a powerful coalition for positive change.

The inspection squad initiative is particularly innovative, allowing VTU to conduct surprise visits to registered companies and verify that students are receiving genuine work experience. This accountability measure protects students while encouraging companies to maintain high standards.

While challenges remain in matching 85,000 students with quality opportunities, VTU's transparent acknowledgment of the situation and commitment to solutions is refreshing. The university's proposal to make internship provisions mandatory for government and private companies in the state could revolutionize how Karnataka's engineering students transition from classroom to career.

This comprehensive reform represents more than just policy changes—it's a commitment to the future success of thousands of young engineers. By prioritizing student welfare, demanding corporate accountability, and actively expanding opportunities, VTU is setting a powerful example for educational institutions nationwide.

As these initiatives take effect, Karnataka's engineering students can look forward to internship experiences that truly prepare them for successful careers, free from exploitation and rich with learning opportunities.