University

WU awards internship positions to refugees

03/05/2016

As part of its initiatives in support of refugees, WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business) advertised eight academic internship positions for refugees who have been granted asylum in Austria. All of these positions have now been filled with qualified applicants. Last week, a special kick-off event was held to welcome the new interns to WU.

The new internships are intended for people who have been granted asylum in Austria, especially refugees who before being forced to leave their home countries had begun or completed an education in the fields of economics, business, the social sciences, or other academic disciplines. All of the eight internship positions have now been awarded to suitable applicants: seven men and one woman from Syria, Iraq, Gambia, and Afghanistan. The interns will work on various projects carried out at WU’s academic units. “WU is a public university with a strong sense of social responsibility and social engagement. Living up to this role, we want to send a message of solidarity in difficult times. The new internships at WU are intended to help refugees to build on their previous education and gain a foothold in the job market more quickly. At the same time, the internships are also meant to further their integration into Austrian society and to give them better prospects for the future,” says WU Rector Edeltraud Hanappi-Egger.

Refugee interns with Vice-Rector Michael Lang and mentor Josef Aff

Refugee interns with Vice-Rector Michael Lang and mentor Josef Aff

Kick-off workshop

Before starting their work at the respective WU units, the new interns were welcomed to WU at a kick-off workshop held by Michael Lang, Vice-Rector for Human Resources, and WU Professor Josef Aff, who will be acting as a mentor. Contacts at the respective institutes will support the new interns in their work and Professor Aff, as mentor, will be available to provide all the information, support, and assistance they need during their internships.

Refugee interns of WU

Adnan, 31 years

Country of origin: Syria

My field of expertise/I was studying: Master’s in Banking and Financial Sciences, Senior Financial Reporting Officer, Head of Financial Reporting Department

My activities at WU: Collaboration in a research project at the Institute for Sociology and Social Research.

My daily routine used to be: I was working, meeting friends, going on picnics and barbecues on weekends, playing soccer, watching matches and going camping with my wife and kids. If I had not been forced to leave I would still be having fun with my lovely friends and family.

I have been in Austria for...: Seven months. Now I am living in Wr. Neustadt with my wife and kids.

What I like about WU...: The history of WU. My plans include...: I am planning to build my future at this university. I would like to make new experiences and serve the academic sector with my expertise.

If I had a wish: I hope the killing and destruction stop in Syria. Personally I hope I can get a doctorate degree in Finance and Banking at WU.

Muhamad Kamal

Country of origin: Syria

My field of expertise/I was studying: Bachelor’s in statistical mathematics

My activities at WU: Data analysis and statistical modelling at the Institute for Multi-Level Governance and Development

My daily routine used to be: I was a teacher and I was working with data analysis in spss. I was happy in my country.

I’ve been in Austria since...: September 2015.

What I like about WU...: One of the best universities in the world.

My plans include...: Gaining work experience and getting to know more about Austria.

If I had a wish: Get a PhD in statistics.

Alieu, 39 years

Country of origin: Gambia, West Africa

My field of expertise/I was studying: Professionally I am a politician, at the moment I am studying political science at University of Vienna.

My activities at WU: Development of educational material in the subject area “Globalization and Social Policy” at the Institute for Social Policy.

My daily routine used to be: I had a good life, I was working and happily living with my wife and children.  

I’ve been in Austria since...: 2004. I am currently living in Vienna.

What I like about WU...: WU is one of the smartest and most modern educational institutions in Europe. I like the people at WU, they are very friendly.

My plans include...: My main plan at WU is to learn, to achieve knowledge and enter Austria´s job market.

If I had a wish: I would like to be a big politican, I wish to have my family with me and I wish to complete my studies at the university.

Rouba, 22 years

Country of origin: Syria

My field of expertise/I was studying: I was studying economics at the university of Latakia, my specialty was accounting.

My activities at WU: Assistance and working with literature and the European Social Survey at the Institute for Macroeconomics.

My daily routine used to be: I had a normal life, I used to go to the mountains or to the beach every summer with my family. If I had not been forced to leave Syria, I would probably have graduated from university and maybe found a good job.

I’ve been in Austria for..: About seven months, I am living in Vienna with my family.

What I like about WU...: I know that WU is a new university, I really like the buildings. They are designed in a perfect modern way. Everyone here is nice and very kind.

My plans include...: I am studying at WU as a MORE student and I am planning to become a regular student once I have learnt German.

If I had a wish: I really wish to graduate from WU so I can have a good job for my future.

Mohamad, 24 years

Country of origin: Syria

My field of expertise/I was studying: I have a bachelor’s in law from the University of Damascus.

My activities at WU: Supporting a comparative analysis of Syrian civil law at the Research Institute for CEE Legal Studies.

My daily routine used to be: Most of my time I spent at university, concentrating on my studies.

I’ve been in Austria since...: October 2014. I am currently living in Vienna.

What I like about WU...: I am very interested in business law. I like working in a team and I like my colleagues here. The working environment is very good.

My plans include...: I would like to make a comparison between Syrian and Austrian civil law. Also, I would like to get to know the Austrian university system better and gain formal recognition for my academic title.

If I had a wish: My biggest wish at the moment is to gain recognition of my academic title in order to find a job in business law.

Soltan, 33 years

Country of origin: Afghanistan

My field of expertise/I was studying: My field of expertise is Social Science. I studied Philosophy and Sociology for five years at Kabul University. I got my bachelor’s degree in 2009.

My activities at WU: Surveys on social and economic life in Afghanistan, assistance with interviews and translation of materials in a pilot initiative for consumer education of unaccompanied underage refugees from Afghanistan at the Institute for Multi-Level Governance and Development.

My daily routine used to be: I had an academic daily routine in Afghanistan. I always participated in English classes and university lectures. Unfortunately, 40 years of war were a part of our life. Now I feel good to live in a country with prosperity and peace.

I’ve been in Austria since...: 2013. I lived in Graz for two years but now I live in Vienna. I am living with friends from ten regions but I do not have any relatives in Austria.

What I like about WU...: WU teaches Economy, Social Science and Business Law. WU offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.

If I had a wish: I love this University!!!!! It is my eternal wish to be a student at this university.

Mustafa, 29 years

Country of origin: Iraq

My field of expertise/I was studying: I was studying Engineering and Computer & Communications

My activities at WU: Production of an image video for a conference at the Institute for Production Management.

My daily routine used to be: It was basically about my studies. If I had not been forced to leave, I would not have had to say goodbye to many people and places.

I’ve been in Austria since...: 2013. I am currently living in Vienna but my family is not here with me.

What I like about WU...: I have a few good friends who have studied at WU. I know the architecture and architects. I like the academic atmosphere and how it gives a feeling of warmth and security for students and staff.

My plans include...: Thanks to my internship I hope to gain more experience and get to know interesting people on campus.

If I had a wish: I want to expand my knowledge, to continue my education, secure my life with a career and start a family.

Maher, 34 years

Country of origin: Syria

My field of expertise/I was studying: I have a bachelor’s in Business Administration & studies in insurance, tourism & now I am studying for an MBA.

My activities at WU: Research for the project “Meta-analysis of predictors of career success” at the Interdisciplinary Institute for Management and Organizational Behavior.

My daily routine used to be: I was working for an international company and doing studies in the same field (insurance). By now I would have a senior position, got the diploma in insurance and progressed in my studies.

I’ve been in Austria since...: 2013, in Vienna.

What I like about WU...: Well ranked, massive number of students and employees, wide range of academic programs. WU got a unique architecture, friendly administration staff, and a professional work environment at the IVM.

My plans include...: I want to fulfill all the internship tasks and increase my knowledge in the academic field.

If I had a wish: I wish to keep working in an academic work environment, to get  support in researching for my upcoming master’s thesis and to get support for a future PhD program.

Click the following link for information on <link https: www.wu.ac.at universitaet news-und-events news details-news detail wu-engagement-fuer-gefluechtete>WU’s initiatives in support of refugees (in German)

Contact:
Cornelia Moll
Press Relations Officer
Tel: + 43-1-31336-4977
Email: cornelia.moll@wu.ac.at 



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