Highlights from Day 1 of the 2025 Global Internship Conference
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The 13th Annual CIEE Global Internship Conference (GIC) kicked off Wednesday in Singapore, where leaders from across education and industry gathered to explore how global internships are shaping the future of work and equipping students with the skills to thrive in a changing world. This year’s theme, “Leading Change in Global Internships,” is centered on shaping the future of work through inclusive, adaptable, and globally minded internship programming .
Watch the Day 1 video recap below for a sense of the energy, ideas, and international community that define the CIEE Global Internship Conference.
Pre-Conference Site Visit: JustCo Singapore
The day began with an off-site visit to JustCo, a collaborative co-working space that mirrors the dynamic environments where interns in Singapore often work. Attendees toured the facility, engaged with current interns, and heard from industry leaders about the value of intern contributions and the impact these programs have on workplace innovation and global readiness.
Speakers included Ethan Seow of Variantz Asia Pacific, Jayapal Ramasamy of McMillan Woods Global, and Henry Teh of Digiland, who shared insights about their organizations and the real-world skills interns help develop.
Pre-Conference Workshop: Best Practices in Global Internships
Later in the afternoon, attendees convened for the “Best Practices in Global Internships” workshop. The session featured CIEE’s Robby Block alongside Olivia Jensen from the National University of Singapore and Sarah Neo from the Singapore University of Social Sciences. Participants explored real-world examples of risk mitigation, partnership building, and successful student outcomes in cross-border internships.
Opening Plenary: A Global Call for Unified Workforce Development
The evening continued with a plenary session titled “A Global Call for Unified Workforce Development.” The panel explored how universities, employers, and governments must collaborate to address workforce challenges exacerbated by technology shifts and economic interdependence.
Panelists included Shalin Jyotishi (New America), Simon Roy (OECD), and Sun Sun Lim (Singapore Management University), with the session moderated by journalist and higher ed expert Jeff Selingo.
Opening Reception: Networking Around the World
The night concluded with “Networking Around the World,” a high-energy reception that offered attendees an opportunity to meet fellow changemakers, build global connections, and prepare for the full days of sessions ahead.