IAESTE

The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) was founded in 1948 at Imperial College, London. Imperial College Vacation Work Committee headed by Mr. James Newby initiated a meeting with national organisations from 10 European countries in a post war effort to promote better understanding between countries and cultures.

Since 1948, the association has grown to include more than 80 countries world-wide and has exchanged in excess of 300,000 students. This means that yearly IAESTE exchanges around 6000 students playing a key role in the development of technical undergraduates able to make their mark in a global economy. The IAESTE Association is a confederation of National Committees representing academic, industrial, and student interests. Each national committee is responsible for the administration of the exchange in its own country. Membership is given after the establishment of a National Committee in accordance with the statutes of IAESTE, together with a responsible permanent secretariat. The type of secretariat which administers the exchange varies according to each country's national structure, educational system, and funding policies. The essential requirement is that the national secretariat, whatever its organization and status, should have competent permanent staff.