ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has shortlisted 209 young graduates out of over 10,000 applicants for paid internships in various departments of the organization.
As per the details, to ensure merit-based selection without political intervention, the CDA has opted for a selection process based on academic qualifications, similar to an entrance test for medical colleges.
The shortlisted candidates come from diverse academic backgrounds, and 2 individuals have been selected for each internship for an interview in their relevant field.
Additionally, the merit list includes candidates from social science, business administration, law, computer science, mass communication, marketing, architecture, city and regional planning, finance, accounting, environmental science, horticulture, forestry, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering.
The CDA has decided to minimize the discretionary powers of the selection committee, with only 10 marks allocated for the interview and the rest of the 90 marks based on the percentage obtained by the graduates in their matriculation, intermediate, and graduate degrees.
Similarly, the interns will be inducted into different formations of the authority based on their academic background, where they will be engaged for six months only, and their induction will not create any permanent rights for their regularization in the civic authority.
Besides, the CDA will also observe the provincial quota as per relevant rules, while initially, the interns are going to be engaged for only six months, there is a possibility of extension in their internship.
A senior officer of the authority informed me that the internship program will be made a regular feature to provide young graduates an opportunity to start their professional careers.
