Update | University in China apologises after students forced to do internships at Foxconn
One student alleges she was told she wouldn’t be able to graduate if she didn’t do summer placement at the electronics company, according to news website
A university in northern China has issued a public apology after it was accused of forcing students to do internships at the electronics manufacturer Foxconn.
One second-year student at Shenyang Urban Construction University said she was told she might not be able to graduate if she did not complete a three-month placement at a Foxconn plant in Yantai in Shandong province, according to K618.cn, a news website run by the Communist Youth League.
Chinese universities were told last year by the Ministry of Education to provide choices of internships that were relevant to students’ majors, but they could choose where they did their placements.
Shenyang Urban Construction University issued a public apology early on Friday morning and said students were now free to have their summer holidays rather than work at Foxconn.
“We apologise for the problems and negative social impact caused by this activity. We want to apologise sincerely to the students, parents and the public,” the statement said.