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If the universities we interviewed all underlined their co-op dimension, it appears that many programmes
and diplomas labelled as “co-op” actually only refer to the introduction in the academic curriculum of a short
assignment within a company that resembles a mere internship.
The shortening of the period can be explained by the fact that not enough companies are taking part in
the programme. Universities try to solve the issue of the lack of companies by sharing the job assignments (and
the companies) between students, therefore shortening the time spent in the company.
At least one year in each co-op programme we studied is meant to be devoted to a job assignment in a
company, but in practice students can get a co-op certificate if they spend only a few months in the company (e.g.
one semester or even just the summer session). For instance, in North Thailand University, only the best students
are sent for a long assignment within a company. Students regret that situation as exemplified in the following
quote: “
all students should be offered co-op; now many students can only have internship, which is of lower
value
”.
As there are not enough companies to welcome every student, companies screen the students. They rely
upon GPA results but also cover letter, CV, and job interview, sometimes conducted in English. In big companies,
the most attractive for students, it is similar to a real job application process. Students want to join big companies
because they are famous but also because they pay more.
During their job assignment, students should be paid, according to the manual drafted by the Office of
the HEC and the Thai Association for Cooperative Education (2009), 200 baths a day. However, some companies,
mainly SMEs, do not pay anything. So the pay students can get from their job ranges from zero up to 200 and 250
baths, depending on their experience and qualifications. Some interviewed companies said that because they take
part in this programme, they should be granted some tax exemptions or advantages by the government.
From the information we gathered, it appears that some assignments in company are not always related
to the curriculum followed by the students. They talked about their “Xerox” duties (making copies), or helping in
other departments for general administrative and office tasks. One company even incidentally backed up this idea
by saying that co-op assignments decrease “
workload of the company in general work
”.
It is not easy to make sure that students will be involved in relevant tasks, and not, for instance, be
employed at the front desk, as happened for one student when assigned in a hotel. Efficient supervision during the
period spent in the company is therefore essential, both from the company and the university sides.
3.2 The role of supervisors
Students involved in a company assignment are supervised by a mentor within the company and by a
supervisor from the university. The role of mentors in companies is typical of the in-house training process, as
explained by the heads of human resources during their interviews. When a new worker comes in, he is briefed in
and coached by a mentor. When the company hires a new employee, the training period usually lasts 3 or 4
months. Regarding the period spent by students in companies as part of their co-op programme, the company uses
