General Motors among many paid work placements for Huddersfield s
Thu, 10 May 2012 16:00:00 BST
Two Bangladeshi students at the University of Huddersfield have beaten off stiff competition to land year-long, paid work placements with UK-based multi-national companies.
Anik Nath, who is studying Chemistry with Chemical Engineering, will work for British American Tobacco, carrying out research aimed at making smoking less harmful to health. And Md Shams E Tabriz (pictured right), who is studying mechanical engineering, landed a dream job when he was offered a placement at the Ellesmere Port plant of General Motors UK. He will help to supervise and maintain the advanced welding robots which produce 200,000 Vauxhall Astra’s every year.
“I have always wanted to work in the automotive industry, so it is really exciting to be able to work for a company like GM UK Ltd (Vauxhall Motors) for my placement year, “said Md Shams E Tabriz, who is current President of the University of Huddersfield’s Bangladeshi Student Society.
For example, General Motors received 2,581 applicants for its 109 work placements starting this September. The application process was spread over four months, said Md Shams E Tabriz, and included an online test. “It’s tough, but well worth it!” he said.
His mechanical engineering degree course means he has gained knowledge of electron beam welding, but when he arrives at Ellesmere Port he will be given intensive training in the robots used on the production line.
Large companies such as Mitsubishi are setting up in Bangladesh, so when he returns, Md Shams E Tabriz will be well placed to find a key job in his home country’s burgeoning motor industry.
Like his friend Md Shams E Tabriz, chemistry student Anik (pictured below) was determined to work for a major company during his placement year and was delighted when after a series of interviews – he was offered a Dosimetry and Applied research post for British American Tobacco at its Southampton factory. The factory produces a large number of global brands and is their only chemistry Research and Development centre in the world.
Chemistry was Anik’s principal subject at school in Bangladesh and when he decided to study for a degree in the subject, he found that the Huddersfield course had just what he wanted. After finishing his BSc he might continue to study to MSc or PhD level. Meanwhile he is glad that his hard work at finding a placement with a leading company has paid off.
“I was particular pleased at the high level of support I have received from the University’s Careers and Employability Service who helped me with interview techniques” said Anik.
The University is in the top ten (UK) for paid work placements (internships). Work placements are built into degree courses throughout the University of Huddersfield, boosting the employability of graduates. The University’s work placement units - which help students find jobs – are among the best in the sector. For example, the unit, within the School of Computing and Engineering is a winner of the ‘Best University Placements/Careers Service’ title.
In addition to Anik's and Tabriz's success, fellow country man Galib Al Nayim who is studying BA(Hons) Hospitality Management will be taking a paid work placement in Canada at the Fairmont Banff Spring hotel. Also Nabiha Khan, President of the University's Indian Student Society who is studying Business Management will be taking her placement at Cummins Turbo Technologies in Huddersfield for one year.
Undergraduate study at Huddersfield
Placement Unit Computing and Engineering
