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Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesUVI Process Technology Program Summer Employment/Internship Program Begins

UVI Process Technology Program Summer Employment/Internship Program Begins

The University of the Virgin Islands has obtained funding from several sources that will provide employment opportunities this summer for 21 process technology students at the Hovensa Refinery. Six students have been offered internships by Hovensa LLC, which is a requirement for obtaining their associates degree in process technology at the end of the fall semester 2009. The other 15 students will be employed as summer students. Twelve of these students are being sponsored by the V.I. Department of Labor, and three students are being sponsored by the Office of Senate President Louis Patrick Hill. The program began on Monday, June 20, and will end on Aug. 7.
According to the process technology program director, UVI Assistant Professor Eric Douglas, the summer employment/internship program at the refinery provides students with the opportunity to experience “firsthand” the theoretical knowledge that they have gained in the classroom.
The two-year degree program is a collaborative effort between UVI and Hovensa that was first implemented in the fall semester of 2002. The program now boasts an enrollment of almost 100 students and a total number of more than 60 graduates, the vast majority of whom are pursuing rewarding careers at the refinery. Several of these recent graduates/ new employees have distinguished themselves by excellent job performance and have received awards in recognition of their work.
“The Process Technology program’s summer program is a rewarding example of industry impacting future generations through education,” said UVI President Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster. “I applaud the public and private sectors for supporting this very worthwhile endeavor.”
There are several critical components of the program that have made it the success that it is, including:
· The close working relationship between the university and Hovensa
· The financial support that the company has provided throughout the years
· The access the company has provided for use of its training facilities to teach the core process technology courses
· The availability of trained professionals at the refinery who are willing to teach many of the core courses
· The availability of employment and career opportunities at the refinery for the graduates.
For more information on this program, contact Eric Douglas at 692-4153.

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