Unlocking AKU Internships: Your Roadmap to Professional Growth

Are you gearing up to embark on an enriching journey through an internship at Aga Khan University? Congratulations on taking this significant step towards growth and development. The internship process and entry test at AKU are pivotal stages that demand careful preparation and comprehension. In this detailed guide, we will explore the nuances of these procedures, providing valuable advice and tips to assist you in navigating them successfully.

How to Apply: AKU website

What time do applications open: Usually middle of the year. [June/July]

How many seats are open: Varies each year, depending on how many AKU students opted for internship that year. Total number of interns is ‘80’ consisting of both AKU and non-AKU graduates.

Fees to apply: 5000 for the application process and additional for couriering of documents.

Documents required:

• MBBS consolidated MarkSheet
• pmc certificate
• mbbs degree [with 55 % and above marks in the final examination]
• CNIC
• Passport size photographs
• Employment certificate

Where to study for the test: The test mainly comprised questions that were similar to those found in past papers. Personally, I thoroughly went through the content of 'Master The Boards' once, and I made it a regular practice to solve past papers consistently.

Any tips for the Test itself:

• Physical Well-being Prioritization: Recognizing the importance of physical well-being, the individual ensured a good night's sleep before the test.
• Healthy breakfast: Aiming for optimal performance, a healthy breakfast should be incorporated into the pre-test routine.
• Review Academic Material: Brush up on key academic concepts and subjects relevant to the entry test.
• Practice Time Management: Develop effective time management strategies to ensure that you can answer all questions within the allotted time frame.
• Seek Guidance: Consider enrolling in preparatory courses or seeking guidance from AKU doctors/students who specialize in internship exam preparation. They can provide valuable insights, study materials, and personalized support to enhance your preparation.

Timing/Paper Pattern: 30 English questions which are quite similar to questions asked in SATs. Doing a few comprehension questions from SAT papers online will help.

The scenario-based multiple choice questions mostly cover clinical subjects.

Interview:

Timing: Varies according to groups, takes approximately around 1.5 hours since there are multiple stations

How many interviews: 10

What questions are asked: Similar to the ones listed in past papers

• Any difficult questions that one should have prepared for. The questions aren't difficult per se, but working on your confidence by making your friends take mock interviews of you will help. Don't underestimate the value of practice.

House Job Life: [based on a personal experience]

Schedule: From 7 am to 5 pm, with calls every fourth day, except during the months when psychiatric rotations were scheduled, which involved 4-5 calls per month along with numerous weekend calls. Family medicine rotations did not include calls, but clinic sessions typically ended by 6 pm. Emergency medicine rotations consisted of 12-hour shifts from 8 am to 8 pm, with a pattern of 2 morning shifts, 2 night shifts, followed by 2 days off.

It's worth noting that Aga Khan University (AKU) Karachi's internship program does not provide exposure to departments such as radiology, pathology, dermatology, ophthalmology, radiation oncology, microbiology, and community medicine.

What’s the timing like: In my opinion, medicine rotations were preferable to surgery rotations. Often, one would not be released at 5 pm, and there was no provision for overtime compensation. I tolerated it solely because the living conditions were superior compared to civil rotations, which was significant to me.

Pay: The initial amount was 60,000 rupees, but after deductions for fees, it came to approximately 53-54,000 rupees. Additionally, I enrolled in the sports center, which I believe cost around 1500 rupees per month.

Personal Comments: My experience at the internship was something I valued because I learned a lot, not just medical academics but soft skills and what work life is like, especially in a challenging environment. It was also directly of value to me since now Alhamdulillah I've been selected for residency and I think my internship may have played a heavy role in making that happen. However, some people who wish to go the US route or abroad elsewhere, may or may not like doing house jobs here since it's quite time and energy-heavy.

Be​​nefits:

• L​​​eaves

1. Earned Leave: 23 working days per annum
2. Sick Leave: 15 calendar days per annum

Outpatient Medical Expenses

Annual maximum reimbursement limit is Rs 95,000; which can be used within AKUH campuses.

• Inpatient Medical Expenses

Aga Khan University will bear 85 percent of the admissible hospitalization expenses. The remaining 15 percent of the expenses will be borne by the employee and should be settled by the employee before​ the patient is discharged. However, if an employee is unable to pay the required expenses immediately, he/she can request for this amount to be deducted from his/her salary in a maximum of 12 equal installments.

• Assistance for Diagnostic Tests and Procedures Expense

All diagnostic tests and procedures which cost over Rs 7,500 will be treated as inpatient, i.e. 85 percent of the cost will be borne by AKUH and 15 percent will be charged to the employee.

Process:

The process consists of two parts:

i. Written test

ii. OSCE/Interview

• For the written test, there are 100 marks allocated for the science portion and 60 marks for the English portion. Marks for each section will be calculated separately. A merit list will be uploaded following the examination.
• The science portion encompasses various specialties including Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, OBGYN, ENT, and Ophthalmology, with a focus on Medicine and Surgery. The test is predominantly medicine-based and emphasizes conceptual understanding.
• The OSCE/Interview segment comprises 8 or 10 stations. These stations primarily present ethical cases, such as managing a patient-related error and handling interactions with senior staff who may be upset. Additionally, some stations require the demonstration of basic medical tasks such as General Physical Examination (GPE), measuring Blood Pressure, and performing CPR.
• The evaluation assesses candidates' personality, professionalism, and vocal skills. It is essential to communicate in English throughout the process.

Embarking on an internship journey at AKU Karachi is a rewarding experience that can significantly impact your professional growth and development. By understanding the internship process and effectively preparing for the entry test, you can enhance your chances of success and seize the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to AKUH’S mission of excellence in education and healthcare.

Best of luck on your internship journey and entry test preparations! Remember, diligent preparation and a positive mindset are key to achieving your goals.