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FINANCIAL ENGINEERING

Tel. Extension: 2325/2328

Guidance Notes for Students on

Internship [Course HIT 301]

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1.

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL ENGINEERING HIT 301- INTERNSHIP

GENERAL GUIDELINES.

1.1

PREAMBLE

The student of this programme shall in his/her third year undergo Internship which shall enable:
1.1.1
1.1.2

1.2

The student to work with others, value team effort and learn that other people are
essential if the objectives of the organization are to be achieved.
The student to have an opportunity to have a hand at the different tasks in the
different departments in a working environment, thereby developing a repertoire
of skills necessary in a multi-operational organization.

Specific set objectives:

It should be understood that the internship for Financial Engineering students is rather more
technical as is the nature of HIT technological programmes and it is envisaged that the students
be able to accomplish the following during the period of internship:
1.2.1
1.2.2
1.2.3
1.2.4

1.2.5

1.3

Acquaint with basic financial engineering methodologies and technological

systems in a business environment.
Acquire practical knowledge of the application of basic principles learnt on the
Financial Engineering programme
Be able to apply knowledge of problem solving, technology design and
innovation in the context of financial engineering activities.
Be able to come up with a mini project specific to the organization, which
demonstrates financial problem identification and solving, with the aim of
designing, developing and implementing innovative financial instruments and/or
processes.
Be able to advance practical knowledge gained from the internship for the
promotion of scientific, technological and developmental projects, with particular
reference to national development.

Internship Regulations
1.3.1
1.3.2

The implementation of Internship programme shall be as provided by School

Regulations.
The Internship period shall normally include at least thirty (30) consecutive weeks
(one academic year) of supervised Internship approved by the Departmental
Board, in the penultimate year of the undergraduate course.

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1.3.3

The student is subject to Departmental and company regulations during

Internship.
1.3.4 The student must always bear in mind his/her conduct during the Internship
period will reflect not only on him/her but also on Financial Engineering
Department and that it may also affect considerably the future Internship
placements and the relationship between the Department and the company and
his/ her future employment as well.
1.3.5 The choice of a company for the Internship will not be based on any probable
monetary benefits the students may stand to gain.
1.3.6 Fulfil the supervisors instructions concerning the training process and carrying
out of the industrial research mini-project.
1.3.7 Fulfill all requirements for the internship course as outlined in the Internship
Guideline document ensuring that the following forms are submitted in time to the
Financial Engineering Department at Harare Institute of Technology:
1.3.7.1 Outline Programme Form HIT301/IF/01
1.3.7.2 Students Induction Checklist Form HIT301/IF/02
1.3.7.3 Students Health Profile Check Form HIT/IF/03
1.3.7.4 Employers Assessment Form HIT/IF/04
1.3.7.5 Internship Mini-project Report
1.3.7.6 Students Internship Report
1.3.7.7 Any other report as may be required by the Department.
1.3.8 The other General Academic Regulations on internship shall apply.
1.4

Internship Assessment Regulations

1.4.1

1.4.2
1.4.3
1.4.4
1.4.5

1.4.6

The student shall be assessed both by the company in which he/she is attached
and the Financial Engineering Department. The Institute sends an Internship
supervisor(s) who is an academic member of staff from the HIT. The student
under internship has a standing supervisor at the company of internship and
he/she is involved in the assessment of the student.
To obtain an overall pass, a student must pass both the continuous assessment and
the final assessment components of the Internship;
A student who fails the continuous assessment components will be required to
repeat Internship;
The overall assessment shall be 50% continuous assessment and 50% final
assessment.
The continuous assessment mark shall be determined by the Department Board
Examiners from the marks awarded by the Industrial Supervisor (15%), Academic
Supervisor (15%) on the appropriate forms and the mini-project (20%).
The final assessment mark shall be determined on the basis of the final report
assessment (30%) and oral presentation assessment (20%).
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1.4.7

Two copies of the final report in a form approved by the Financial Engineering
Department must be submitted before the deadline date set by the Departmental
Board.
1.4.8 A student who fails the final assessment but has passed the continuous assessment
component may be allowed to resubmit the Internship report within two months
and be re-assessed. Unless otherwise determined by Senate, the maximum mark
allowed for such referred work shall be 45%.
1.4.9 The General Academic Regulations on repeat, discontinue and withdraw shall
apply to Internship.
1.4.10 A student who fails the Internship component shall not proceed to the final year of
the Degree Programme.

1.5

Internship important documents

1.5.1 Outline Programme Form HIT 301/IF/01
1.5.1.1 At the beginning of the internship the Company Supervisor and the student in
consultation with the Institute Supervisor will structure the internship
schedule for the whole Internship period using the Outline Programme Form
HIT 301/IF/01.
1.5.1.2 This form is foremost in the assessment procedure [Refer to Appendix 1 of the
Guidance Notes for Students on Internship].
1.5.2

Students Induction Checklist Form HIT301/IF/02

1.5.2.1 The Induction Checklist form should be submitted within the Financial Engineering
Department two weeks of the commencement of the Internship programme.
1.5.2.2 The completed forms should be signed by the Company Supervisor and stamped.

1.5.3

Students Health Profile Check Form HIT301/IF/03

1.5.3.1 The Induction Checklist form should be submitted to the Financial Engineering
Department within the two weeks of the commencement of the Internship
programme.
1.5.3.2 The completed forms should be signed by the Company Supervisor and stamped.

1.5.4 Employers Assessment Form HIT301/IF/04

1.5.4.1 The Employers Assessment Form should be completed by the respective
Company Supervisor(s) in each and every section/department that the student
is assigned to.
1.5.4.2 Every Employer Assessment form completed should be stamped and signed
by the respective Company Supervisor.

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1.5.4.3 The Employers Assessment Form is an important assessment document and

as such should be completed in confidentiality and send to the Financial
Engineering Department in a sealed envelope stamped by the Company.
1.5.5

Internship logbookHIT301/IF/05
1.5.5.1 The Internship Logbook should be completed by the student either daily or weekly.
1.5.5.2 The student should record the date, internship activity on the specific day.
1.5.5.3 The daily or weekly schedule should explain the work accomplished each day of the
week during the internship period and should contain:

The department of the organization that the week was spent.

Name and signature of the controlling supervisor for each week

The official stamp of the organization.

1.5.5.4 The Internship Logbook should be always be up to date and should be readily
available for supervision at any time.
1.5.5.5 The logbook shall also constitute the continuous assessment criterion.
1.6

Assessment Criteria

Assessment of the internship work takes place via five elements:

1.6.1 Employers Assessment Form HIT 301/IF/04
1.6.1.1 The employers assessment form is completed by the employer [Refer to
appendix 2 of the Internship Guideline document] and assesses the
performance at the work place, their self-development, performance targets
and evidence of achievement during the attachment period.
1.6.2 InternshipReport.
1.6.2.1 This is one of the most crucial written works prepared by the student to show
how he/she has learnt during internship. The report should be done
considering:
1.6.2.1.1 The log book that the student has to keep.
1.6.2.1.2 Outline programme [as detailed in the Outline Programme Form
HIT301/IF/01] agreed upon at the beginning of the Internship.
1.6.2.1.3 The overall objectives of the Financial Engineering internship [read
the beginning of the Guidance Notes for Students].
1.6.2.2 The report should not be less than 10 typed A4, single spaced pages.
1.6.2.3 In this report students should provide a detailed and analytical extension of the
work placement emphasizing on:

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1.6.2.3.1

1.6.2.3.2

1.6.2.3.3

1.6.2.3.4

How elements of their Financial Engineering degree can be expected

to draw upon their academic learning in order to critically evaluate the
companys operations and their performance?
Work done and practical knowledge acquired. Critical assessment of
the experimental learning gained from the internship. Identification
analysis of any difference between theory studied and the operational
practices perceived. [This section is the key to the quality of the
report].
Principle products /services and their characteristics in which the
student reports the technological outline of the establishment in line
with Financial Engineering. Identification of special opportunities and
problems faced and the means adopted for exploiting and overcoming
these during the Internship.
Description and analysis of the performance criteria and targets set for
the Internship programme.

1.6.3 Institute Internship Supervisors Assessment Form

1.6.3.1 The Institute Internship Supervisor(s) shall frequently visit the student at
his/her place of Internship to review progress and performance of the student
with the employer.
1.6.3.2 The Internship Supervisor shall complete the Internship Supervisor
Assessment form on every Internship assessment visit and assesses the
performance at the work place, their self-development, performance targets
and evidence of achievement during the Internship period.
1.6.3.3 The Internship Supervisor shall request the students logbook on every visit
and shall assess the logbook.
1.6.3.4 Continuous assessments by the Internship Supervisor shall be aggregated to
determine the overall Internship Supervisors assessment mark.
1.6.3.5 The Internship Supervisor shall also provide an Internship visit report after
every Internship visit.
1.6.4 Internship Mini-Project
1.6.4.1 The Internship Mini-Project shall form part of continuous assessment.
1.6.4.2 The student shall identify any of the companys challenges to research on and
come up with solutions to counter the challenge.
1.6.4.3 The Internship Mini-Project shall be prepared in accordance with the research
format.
1.6.4.4 The emphasis of the mini project shall be to demonstrate financial problem
identification and solving, with the aim of designing, developing and
implementing innovative financial instruments and/or processes.
1.6.4.5 The report should not be less than 10 typed A4, single spaced pages.
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1.6.5 Presentation Assessment Form.

1.6.5.1 Students shall be required to perform Internship Presentations at the end of the
Internship period at a date determined and approved by the Financial
Engineering department.
1.6.5.2 The Internship Presentation shall be a summary of all the activities done
during the Internship including daily activities and projects carried out.
1.6.5.3 The presentation shall follow the framework set out by the Financial
Engineering department.
1.6.5.4 The students Internship Presentations shall be assessed by a panel of
Departmental Board of Examiners.
1.6.5.5 The Departmental Board of Examiners shall use the Presentation Assessment
form approved by the Department to record their marks for the presentations.
1.6.5.6 The marks awarded by the Departmental Board of Examiners shall be
aggregated and averaged to determine the overall mark for the Internship
presentation.

1.7

Guidelines for the industry on the treatment of the student during the Internship
1.7.1 The student will be subject to the companys regulations and is expected to
function like a full time employee of the company.
1.7.2 The company is requested to provide the student every opportunity to function
like a full-time employee and permit him/her to actively participate in all aspects
of the business including management and administration except where
confidentiality constraints may not permit his/her participation.

1.8

Unattached registered students

1.8.1 In the case of registered students who fail to secure internship, the department
may organise an in-house Internship arrangement lasting for at least thirty (30)
weeks which is equivalent to the industrial internship academic year
period.{Refer to In-house Internship Guidance Notes}

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APPENDICES
Outline programme form HIT301/IF/01
Students Induction Checklist Form
HIT301/IF/02
Students Health Profile Check Form
HIT301/IF/03
Employers Assessment Form HIT301/IF/04

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HIT301-INTERNSHIP
PROGRAMME

OUTLINE PROGRAMME FORM HIT 301/IF/01

(To be filled for every month of internship)
The following schedule outlines the proposed programme of the training which the student will follow
during his/her internship. This covers the first period from the students starting date of employment. The
employer in agreement with the institute student supervisor should assign students to the training
activities, indicate month of training and confirm by signature and endorsement of company official stamp.

Function Area

Proposed
Training/Experience/Project

Approximate Time Span of

Training/Dates

Month of Training & Year

Company Supervisor Internship Supervisor.................................
Student Name & Registration No .

Chairman Department..

Date and Official Stamp

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HIT 301INTERNSHIP
PROGRAMME

STUDENTS INDUCTION CHECKLIST FORM HIT 301/IF/02

Name of Student.. Start Date
The following items should be included in your induction into the company of internship. preferably on
your first day. Please check off the items below when they occur and inform your supervisor of any items
not covered within one week of the start of your internship. The list is not exhaustive and other topics
may be covered, which you may not if you wish so.
TASK
Introduction to key staff members of and their roles explained
Location of toilet facilities, canteen and rest room.
Lunch, tea and coffee arrangements
Place of work
Companys Regulations/Secrecy Acts/Policies.
Dress code
How to answer the telephone. Transfer calls and make calls both internally
and externally.

DATE

HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES

Emergency procedures
Safety policy received or location known
Location of first aid box
First aid arrangements
Fire procedures and location of fire extinguishers
Accident reporting and location of accident book
Manual handling procedures
Industrial safety regulations
Instruction on equipment you will be using

DATE

..

Internship Supervisor; Signature

Date

.
Company Supervisor; Signature

..
Date

Date & Stamp ..

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HIT 301INTERNSHIP
PROGRAMME

STUDENTS HEALTH & PROFILE CHECK FORM HIT 301/IF//03

[A] STUDENT ATTACHMENT DETAILS

STUDENTS FIRST NAMES & SURNAME:.
STUDENTS REGISTRATION NO.: ...
DEGREE PROGRAMME & PART: .
COMPANY SUPERVISOR:
PERIOD OF INTERNSHIP: .
[B] HEALTH PROFILE
MEDICAL AID SOCIETY & NUMBER: ..
TYPE:
DO YOU HAVE ANY DRUG ALLERGIES? YES/NO
IF YES GIVE DETAILS:...
DO YOU HAVE ANY MEDIAL CONDITION THAT NEEDS CONSTANT MEDICAL ATTENTION?
YES/NO:
IF YES GIVE DETAILS: .
...
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ADVISED BY A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER TO LIMIT EXCESSIVE PHYSICAL
WORK? YES/NO:
IF YES GIVE DETAILS: .

DO YOU HAVE ANY RELIGIOUS COMMITMENTS THAT MIGHT AFFECT YOUR WORKING
SCHEDULE DURING INTERNSHIP? YES/NO:
IF YES GIVE DETAILS: ..
.

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INDICATE WITH A YES OR NO IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN DIAGNOSED TO SUFFER FROM THE
FOLLOWING AILMENTS:
DIABETES
BLOOD PRESSURE
HYPERTENSION
HEART DISEASE
TUBERCULOSIS
HEPATITIS: A OR B OR C

YES/NO
YES/NO
YES/NO
YES/NO
YES/NO
YES/NO

IF ANY OF THE ABOVE ANSWERS IS YES GIVE DETAILS:

.
ARE YOU PRESENTLY ON ANY MEDICATION? YES/NO

WILL THIS MEDICINE AFFECT YOU IN ANY WAY DURING YOUR INTERNSHIP? YES/NO
IS THERE ANY HEALTH ISSUE YOU WOULD WANT YOUR INTERNSHIP EMPLOYER AND THE
HARARE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, TO KNOW? YES/NO
IF YES GIVE DETAILS:

The above provided information is true to the best of my knowledge:

Students Signature: Date:

Checked by the Work Supervisor before forwarding to Harare Institute of Technology

Supervisors Signature:.. Date:

Received at the Department, Harare Institute of Technology

Internship Co-ordinator /Chairperson: .
(Signature &Date & Official Stamp)

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HIT 301INTERNSHIP
PROGRAMME

EMPLOYERS ASSESSMENT FORM HIT 301/IF/04

STUDENTS FULL NAME: ..
STUDENTS REGISTRATION NUMBER:
NAME OF EMPLOYER: ..
DEPARTMENT ATTACHED: .
DATE OF ASSESSMENT: ...
STUDENTS JOB TITLE:
NAME OF SUPERVISOR:
HAS THE STUDENT PROVIDED YOU WITH A SELF DEVELOPMENT PLAN OR SET GOALS HE/SHE
INTENDS TO ACCOMPLISH DURING THE PERIOD OF INTERNSHIP? YES/NO
IF YES WERE THE SET OBJECTIVES REALISTIC AND CHALLENGING? YES/NO

PLEASE PROVIDE COMMENTS ON THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND OPPORTUNITIES AS

THEY MAY HAVE AFFECTED THE STUDENTS PERFORMANCE

.............................................................
HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE STUDENTS BEHAVIOUR?
EXCEPTIONAL/GOOD/SATISFACTORY/POOR
HOW HAS BEEN THE STUDENTS PUNCTUALITY TO WORK?
EXCEPTIONAL/GOOD/SATISFACTORY/POOR
In the table kindly asses the student by making a tick in the appropriate column according to the criteria of
assessment considered. It is assumed the assessor makes a general assessment for the whole period of
INTERNSHIP under review.

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Criteria

Poor

%guide
Score Points

Marginal

<40%
0

Satisfactory

45%
1

55%
2

Highly
Competent
65%

Excellent

Outstanding

75%

>75%

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Self Confidence
Drive & Self
Discipline
Dependability
Adaptability
Initiative
QUALITY OF WORK
Task Fulfillment
Volume of Work
Accuracy
Thoroughness
Management of
Time
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
Oral
Communication
Written
Communication
Compliance with
Authority
Team/Cooperation
Leadership
Potential
INTELLECTUAL QUALITIES
Learning Capacity
Problem
Identification
Problem Analysis
Problem Solving
Judgment
Total Score
Points per
Column

Overall Score of Points (i.e. sum of total points per column) ...

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WORK SUPERVISORS ASSESSMENT OF THE STUDENTS LOGBOOK

Having read the students report on internship at your establishment, how do you rate the following
assessment areas:ASSESSMENT AREA

How do you rate the students performance regards identifying and

addressing the relevant issues i.e. the overall structure and coherence of
the logbook
How do you rate the students performance regards evidence of data
collection and analysis e.g. information on the organization/company of
attachment and use of this information within the logbook.
How would you rate the students performance regards communication
skill used in compiling the logbook.
How do you rate the students ability to apply theoretical knowledge in
understanding or solving issues related to the efficient running of the
organization/company.
OVERALL INTERNSHIP PERFORMANCE RATING:
For the period of INTERNSHIP you have had with our student, how do you rate his/her performance on
the overall. Please tick appropriately.
UNSATISFACTORY
Performance below minimum level necessary
MARGINAL
Performing at a minimum level
SATISFACTORY
Most job requirements met
HIGHLY COMPETENT
All job requirements met
EXCELLENT
Exceeded all job requirements in a highly efficient manner
OUTSTANDING
All job requirements substantially exceeded
Signature of Work Supervisor . Date .....

Received and Checked at the Department, HIT

Internship Supervisor Date & Official Stamp

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