Patna: With universities across Bihar introducing mandatory summer internships under the four-year undergraduate programme, thousands of students—especially from rural areas—are struggling to secure placements due to limited local opportunities, institutional gaps, and concerns over associated costs.Students typically undertake internships during summer breaks after the fourth semester to gain practical, on-site, and experiential learning. This is the first such exercise in most universities following the introduction of the four-year degree course, and students are expected to complete their internships in the upcoming summer vacation.While some universities and colleges have made arrangements by tying up with companies, industries, and NGOs through MoUs to facilitate internships, many institutions have left students to fend for themselves.The scarcity of suitable organisations near rural colleges has severely limited local training options. As a result, many students may have to bear high travel costs, relocation expenses, and limited access to internship programmes, anxious guardians said.Recently, students of Govt Girls’ College, Gardanibagh, staged a protest against the reported collection of Rs 500 per student for internships. The college later withdrew the decision following the intervention of Patliputra University (PPU) vice-chancellor Upendra Prasad Singh.PPU registrar Abu Bakar Rizwi said the university has signed MoUs with around 100 registered organisations to facilitate internships and that students are not required to pay any fee. He added that principals have been authorised to empanel additional registered organisations if the existing ones are unable to accommodate all students.In another case, undergraduate students of B N Mandal University (BNMU), Madhepura, were asked to pay Rs 700 each to a company selected through a tender process. Following protests, the fee was reduced to Rs 500, but students continue to oppose any payment for internships.BNMU registrar Ashok Kumar Singh clarified that the university had entered into an agreement with the company on a “no-cost or minimal-cost” basis, and no final decision has been taken yet as discussions are still underway.In contrast, undergraduate students in Patna University colleges have not reported major issues in meeting internship requirements. Many complete their training with local organisations or under faculty mentorship in postgraduate departments. For instance, several physics honours students of Patna Science College gained hands-on experience in electronics under senior faculty during the stipulated period, said PU physics teacher Ashok Kumar Jha.Jha added that to address the shortage of physical organisations in rural areas, UGC guidelines permit virtual, hybrid, and research-based internships. Students can work with government portals or undertake supervised academic research projects from their colleges, he said.
