The Co-op program serves a bridge between the intensely learning university experience and the practical, results-oriented, highly competitive professional world. The program is designed to give the student an opportunity to test and apply knowledge, skills and competences acquired in the classrooms and labs and to develop a clear perspective about the expectations of the real world and a sharper focus on career choices. It offers an opportunity for employers and educators to collaborate in mentoring prospective workforce to becoming productive and responsible citizens. The hope is that the student after completing the Co-op experience will develop a clear purpose, become more engaged during the last year of studies, and form a pragmatic perspective about their role in a changing world.

While the Co-op work experience mutually benefits the student, the university and the employer, it will help the student in:

• Clarifying career goals;
• Understanding of the workplace demands and constraints;
• Pursuing continuous learning and self-improvement undertakings;
• Cultivating self-reliance and self-confidence;
• Refining time management, interpersonal and communication skills;
• Building contacts with potential employers;
• Acquiring marketable skills that improve employability prospects;
• Experiencing practical aspects of the field of study.

Provide the student diversified choices of internship fields accompanied by career counseling and guidance to prepare the graduate to match the requirements of employment opportunities.

A Bachelor student is eligible to sign up for the Co-op program if the following eligibility criteria are met:

The Co-op program runs for a minimum of eight weeks, 8 hours per day and is normally completed during the summer term of the third year of studies. Students engage in a practical training experience mentored by professionals in the area related to their field of interest.

Policies

• The logistical aspects of the Co-op program shall be managed by the Co-op Coordinator associated within the Communication and Alumni Relations Office.
• Training opportunities shall be approved and thereafter managed by the Co-op Coordinator in collaboration with the academic advisor.
• A trainee must meet the eligibility criteria set forth in this policy to participate in the Co-op program.
• A student may arrange for a training opportunity on his/her own, which should be approved by the Co-op academic advisor or, alternatively, the Co-op coordinator shall assist the student in finding a suitable training venue.
• Each trainee shall be assigned a Co-op academic advisor to follow up on the trainee’s work progress throughout the Co-op period and assess the overall training experience afterward.
• A student must commit to completing the training at the company mutually agreed to.
• Students may register for one course during the Co-op period if it is the only course needed to graduate and the timing is approved by the employer.
• The Co-op coordinator completes the Co-op training offers in consultation with the Co-op work HR/Supervisor taking into consideration employer’s needs, student’s interest and eligibility, and date of student’s application.
• The trainee shall work for the employer a period equivalent to eight weeks, minimum 35hrs/week, on pre-approved tasks related to the trainee’s field of study.
• Trainees must conform to the employer’s work rules and standards and must execute his/her tasks professionally and ethically.
• The trainee shall directly report to and coordinate with the Co-op work supervisor on all tasks and activities.
• The Co-op work supervisor cannot be a direct relative to the trainee;
• The Trainee shall keep a daily record of tasks performed and lessons learned;
• The trainee and the Co-op work supervisor shall submit the training assessment forms to the Co-op academic advisor at the end of the training period.
• The trainee shall submit to the Co-op academic advisor the daily tasks log, a report, a poster and a power point presentation the following day of the completion of the Co-op work.
• The trainee must deliver a presentation about the training experience when requested.
• If the student withdraws from the Co-op course, the registrar should inform the Co-op Coordinator. The Co-op Coordinator should then inform both the Co-op academic advisor and the Co-op work supervisor.
• Failing to comply with the Co-op rules and employer’s work standards will result in a failing grade.

Procedures

• The Co-op coordinator creates a Co-op Moodle course for eligible students in each college.
• The Co-op coordinator maintains a database of prospective employers and posts job opportunities and application deadlines and communicates them to students via email and Moodle;
• The Co-op Coordinator prepares a list of eligible students and send it to each college to distribute Co-op academic advisors among them.
• Student may suggest an employer that is not in the posted list so long he/she gets a tentative approval from the employer and from the College academic advisor and submits the Training Application Form (Coop-3) to the Coop Coordinator.
• A trainee seeking to pursue a training opportunity abroad must complete the Training Abroad Application Form (Coop-12) and submits it to the Co-op coordinator for further consideration.
• The Co-op Coordinator invites eligible students to attend the Co-op orientation seminar during the semester prior to the Co-op to explain policies and procedures;
• Each eligible student completes the Training Application Form (Coop-3) indicating three preferred Co-op venues ranked in order of priority and submits a CV (soft copy) within the assigned deadlines;
• The Co-op Coordinator and academic units shall attempt to match students’ aspirations and field of study with employer’s needs. In case many multiple trainees compete for a specific training opportunity, students who apply first and meet the eligibility criteria shall be given the priority unless the employer meets them and chooses.
• The Co-op coordinator completes the Co-op Training Offer Form (Coop-4) for each trainee and a final list, in coordination with the Registrar Office, is sent to the college with all the details after first week of the beginning of the training period.
• The Co-op assignments and all related information are posted on the Co-op Moodle course page, Facebook page and via email;
• The Co-op academic advisor bears the responsibility to: Correct students’ CVs, make at least one field visit and completes the visit assessment form; continuously follow up with the trainee and the work supervisor during the training period; collects the trainee’s performance assessment forms from the trainee and the work supervisor; guides the student in preparing the training report, poster and presentation and assess the submitted material; and submits a final report to the Co-op Coordinator.

After a two-month period, five RHU students now have a job. Thanks to RHU Coop Training Program, the students received full-time jobs in the same companies that hired them for their summer Coop. RHU Coop Program continues to be one of RHU's major strengths, giving hope to fresh graduates as job seekers.

 

RHU marked the work experiences of those five students as RHU Coop Success Stories for the year 2017. RHU congratulates them for making the best out of their training and for demonstrating the competitive skills and abilities that RHU students develop. The students are: Ms. Reem Atma- No Label NGO, Ms. Rayan Khattab- Cleartag, Ms. Manal Kassab- LACECO Architects and Engineering, Ms. Zeina El Chami- Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon, and Ms. Hind Antar- El Yaman Group.

 

Students benefit from their Coop training by learning more about their field of study, earning valuable real world experience, and developing their professional network.