University of Westminster signs institutional agreement with the United Nations Migration Agency

The Agreement was signed on 25 March at the University of Westminster’s Regent Campus by Michael Emery, IOM’s Director of Human Resources, and Eduardo Lees, the University’s Head of Global Mobility. The agreement and the associated internship programme are outcomes of an institutional relationship which has been developed with IOM over the past year by Dr Sahar Taghdisi Rad, Course Leader for the International Relations and Development BA Honours course.

Prior to the signing of the agreement, Michael Emery, with over 30 years of experience in leading major UN agencies’ human resource departments, delivered a highly engaging workshop on demystifying and preparing for careers at the United Nations. Emery has also agreed to deliver an annual workshop on preparing for competency-based interviews for Westminster students from next year. During his visit, Michael Emery also met with some of the interns from Westminster who have already been selected into the IOM internship programme.

The first round of internships was announced in January 2022, and included ten internship positions across four IOM offices in Geneva, Vienna, Dhakka and London. From around 100 student applicants some have already been selected to positions at the four IOM offices. The internships, which are open to students completing their second year of studies and beyond, range between three to nine months and focus on a host of topics from migration governance to mission support, policy and liaison, and information management. Successful candidates have the opportunity to receive financial support towards their internships by applying for relevant funding bodies through the University. Upon successful completion of the internships, candidates are invited to apply for entry-level full-time positions at IOM. 

Talking about these internship opportunities, Victoria Ramirez, a second year Politics and International Relations BA Honours student who has been selected for an IOM internship in Geneva, said: “As with any Politics or International Relations student, one of my biggest aspirations has been to work for an influential international organisation. That is why I am incredibly thrilled about this upcoming opportunity especially at a time when the market is extremely competitive.”

Dr Taghdisi Rad added: “This strategic partnership with a major UN agency that leads the global discourses on key issues such as migration, equality and the Sustainable Development Goals, enhances our University’s international reputation and provides our students with an incredible opportunity to enhance their knowledge and gain invaluable professional experience that can transform their future career paths.” 

For further information on the IOM internships or the University’s collaboration with IOM, please contact Dr Sahar Taghdisi Rad at [email protected].