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Information regarding NITheP internships:

(Document updated 2015 05 13)

1. Introduction 2. Information to the Internship student 3. Information to the Supervisor/Tutor

1. Introduction The NITheP internships make provision for students, mainly at the honours and beginning Masters Level, to join NITheP staff or associates during recess periods to complete a research project. These projects are evaluated by the Supervisor and an independent examiner, normally at the student’s home institution, and can be used for credits if the home institution approves. The Supervisor may use a PhD student as a tutor to alleviate the burden on the supervisor and at the same time this provides valuable experience for the tutor. One of the aims of this programme is also to alleviate the pressure of honours level project supervision on departments/Associates. Typically NITheP financially supports students who pass the screening process in terms of travel cost, accommodation and subsistence.

2. Information to the Internship student

The internship period is for a maximum period of 28 days. The subsistence allowance/living expense is capped at R150 per day. The Internship student needs to supply René Kotzé with their banking detail and ID/Passport copy upfront, in order for these monies to be paid to them as soon as they arrive or start their internship. Generally internships without the need of transport and accommodation are for 28 days, and when transport and accommodation costs are incurred the duration of the internships are 21 days.

The onus is on the Internship student to find out in advance from their home institution if their Project would be allowed to count towards credits for his/her current degree.

There is a deadline of two months after the completion of the internship for the student to submit a report for the project.

Also if the Project topic becomes the topic for a following degree, it also has to be reported to René. Both these scenarios (i.e. counting towards credits or become the topic of a higher degree) affect the NITheP statistics positively

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and therefore is very important to report on, as it ensures best value for money in terms of the internship budget as well as reporting to stakeholders.

If an internship results in a paper being published, the information is also to be communicated to NITheP as it is imperative for the statistics around the program to reflect this.

Internships are to take place at another Supervisor/Institution other than where the students are normally based.

NITheP makes use of bus services for the transport of students to and from the internship Supervisor/Tutor.

3. Information to the Supervisor/Tutor

3.1 Benefits

Takes the bulk of the work away from the Supervisor of the Project

Gives experience to a PhD Student who then teaches or manages the student during his/her internship. In addition tutorship’s offer the possibility of financial compensation.

3.2 Documents required

CV and/or study record as well as banking detail of the Tutor to be submitted to René in advance. Please note: we trust the selection of the Supervisor; we require the CV and study record of the Tutor to be kept on file for audit purposes (due to the fact that payments will be made to this person).

3.3 Hours and Payment to the Tutor

Two to three hours per day is what is generally averaged. The rate is R150 per hour. For the total period of 28 days, it is capped at R5000 total.

3.4 Score/Mark of the Project/Credits and continuation of studies

The supervisor is to sign off the Project and inform René of the score awarded for the project.

Please inform René if the student would be able to use the project to count towards a current degree, or if the topic could be used for a higher degree.

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NITheP also records if the student continues with Theoretical Physics studies for statistical purposes, so all parties can expect to receive a follow up from Rene in order to update the necessary statistics.

Any further questions If there are any questions not covered in the above, please feel free to contact René Kotzé at renekotze@sun.ac.za