IAESTE is an international membership organization dedicated to developing global skills in tomorrow's technical leaders through international exchange, leadership training, global skill development, and technical education.

AIMS

To provide students in higher education with technical experience relevant to their studies
To offer employers well-qualified and motivated trainees
To be a source of cultural enrichment for trainees and their host communities

MISSION

To operate a high quality practical training exchange programme between members in order to enhance technical and professional development and to promote international understanding and goodwill amongst students, academic institutions, employers and the wider community

HISTORY

The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience was founded in 1948 at Imperial College, London.

Imperial College Vacation Work Committee headed by Mr James Newby initiated a meeting with national organisations from 10 European countries in a post war effort to promote better understanding between countries and cultures. IAESTE United States was founded at MIT in 1950.

Since 1948, the association has grown to include more than 80 countries world-wide and has exchanged in excess of 300,000 students. This means that yearly IAESTE exchanges around 6000 students playing a key role in the development of technical undergraduates able to make their mark in a global economy.

STRUCTURE

The IAESTE Association is a confederation of national committees representing academic, industrial, and student interests. Each national committee is responsible for the administration of the exchange in its own country.

What does IAESTE offer to employers?

• Sourcing and selection of high caliber technical students according to requirements
• Hands-on service for easy and time-effective administration
• Networking opportunities through foreign students and universities
• Administration of work permit applications for placement students
• Accommodation arrangement for placement students
• Provision of pastoral and social care for placements students

• Provision of paid, technical work experience abroad for skill enhancement
• Safe experience through IAESTE support network
• Support with practical arrangements i.e. work permits / visa, accommodation and travel

RELATIONS

The international body of IAESTE is a non-political, independent non-governmental organization maintaining consultative or operational relationship with the following agencies of the United Nations:

UNESCO  - UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
ECOSOC - UN Economic and Social Council
UNIDO      - UN Industrial Development Organization
ILO           - International Labour Office


IAESTE is also in contact with:

EU            - European Union
ECA          - United Nations Economic Council for Africa
FAO          - Food and Agricultural Organisation of the UN
OAS          - Organisation of American States

as well as with many educational non-governmental organizations