The OIC International Internship Programme was introduced to the chambers of commerce and industry in the city of Eskisehir, Bilecik, and Bursa in Turkey, through a series of meetings organised by SESRIC in collaboration with BEBKA Regional Development Agency, between 12 and 13 December 2018.

The purpose of the visits was to discuss the aim that the OIC Intern Programme has to expand to other Turkish cities hosting international students and to encourage companies to provide the opportunity to intern students to continue their work in the respective working places.

The OIC International Internship Program is an initiative launched by SESRIC in 2017 in cooperation with the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and Ensar Foundation, as well as other partners. So far, the pilot phase of the program has been implemented the in two major Turkish cities; Ankara and Istanbul.

The aim is to facilitate the entry of students into the labour market by contributing to the development of their knowledge and skills about the working environment, as well as enhancing the quality of the workforce and encourage economic competition in member countries, and thus lay the groundwork for closer cooperation and partnership.