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WIL Student Enjoys Thailand Internship

WIL Student Enjoys Thailand Internship

Third year Engineering Computer Systems student, S’boniso S’khumbuzo Gumede, will soon return from Thailand after completing his internship for six months at Western Digital, the largest manufacturer of computer hard drives in the world.

Gumede left South Africa on 21 January, this year (2017) after securing an internship at Western Digital as part of his Work integrated learning (WIL) and is returning end of June 2017.
Co-operative Education is an integrated approach to higher education which combines academic learning with associated workplace experience achieved via the relationship between the University, its students, industry and the community.

Gumede says the experience he gained at Western Digital is something he would not have been able to experience in any company. At Western Digital he was offered a flexible work environment that allowed him to adapt easily. A mentor and team were assigned to him that became his family during his work term. Western Digital also gave him the opportunity to work on a project that they are prepared to use, and that will be implemented within the company, rather than a project that is simply used to evaluate his academic work.
During his stay at the Suranaree University of Technology, he was exposed to the company’s technology, infrastructure and multicultural environment.

“I feel extremely blessed to be the first international student in 2016 at HGST. The experience that I gained during my previous co-operative work experience made my decision to return to Thailand, an easy one, for my current co-op without hesitation. Though I am extremely thankful for the experience that I have gained in Thailand, I am looking forward to returning to my family and friends in South Africa to continue my education,” he added.

Gumede thanked Shakeel Ori, Head of Department of the Durban University of Technology Co-operative Education, Suranaree University of Technology, DUT, and Western Digital for the incredible opportunity he had to be part of their family and all the international friends he made, making this experience the most enriching of his life to date.
“The experience of co-operative education will make you more visible to companies that are looking to hire. Venturing outside of your comfort zone is where you will find the experience of a lifetime,” said Gumede.

Pictured: S’boniso S’khumbuzo Gumede with colleagues at Western Digital.

Sthabile Gwalathabile Gwala

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