AUC, Al-Futtaim Partner to Support Architecture Student Internships

AUC's Department of Architecture and Al Futtaim Group Real Estate are partnering to launch a Professional Mentorship Program, offering students the chance to engage in internships, research competitions and design studio work. 

"The program helps prepare architecture students deal with the challenges of a fast-changing market," said Amr Abdel Kawi, professor of practice in the Department of Architecture and director of the NextARCH lab who is leading this initiative. "It seeks to use education and professional partnerships to connect students to the architecture and building industries."

The aim is to create a highly responsive, integrated learning experience that combines academic and real-world dimensions, developing mentorship modules and tracks for architecture students.

"This will be achieved in part by bringing professionals, whether alumni or companies, into the academic process to integrate with student coursework, increasing their marketability and agility through their ability to meet changing market demands and navigate the professional world."

The agreement is one of several the department is currently concluding with major real estate companies to offer structured internship programs; sponsor research projects, design studios and graduate fellowships; in addition to inviting professional mentors and keynote speakers as well as conducting workshops for students.