RIT Dubai partners with SIG to promote tech innovation and career readiness

Tailor-made internship program empowers students to drive digital transformation

October 08,2025: Dubai, UAE: Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) of Dubai and SIG, a leading global solution provider for aseptic packaging, have successfully concluded a dynamic ten-week internship program, providing students with hands-on experience in cutting-edge technologies and delivering fresh perspectives on industry-based innovation. The initiative, part of SIG’s Digital Transformation Program, saw RIT Dubai students working on real-world projects that harnessed the latest technologies in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), while also equipping them with critical workplace skills.

Simran Bhagchandani with Niall Hoey – Director of Clusters MEA, SIG

Tailor-made for students at RIT Dubai, the internship saw eight seniors from computer science and engineering disciplines apply their classroom learning to deliver smart digital solutions for SIG. Tasked with addressing a range of current business challenges, the students managed the full project lifecycle, from developing solution architecture and training different AI and ML models, to creating user-friendly interfaces and presenting the final product to senior executives.

RIT Dubai digital interns with the SIG team

Among the students participating in the program was 22-year-old cybersecurity major, Simran Bhagchandani, who was recognized with the Outstanding Performance Award for her contributions during the internship. Reflecting on her motivation for applying through the RIT career fair, Simran said, “AI and machine learning are shaping the future of technology, and I wanted to be part of that process as early as possible. This internship gave me the chance to apply my theoretical knowledge to solve real-world problems, and more importantly, to make a real impact.”

Alongside her peers, Simran worked on a number of applied projects, harnessing AI to create innovative solutions to operational challenges. Applying her knowledge and seeing the results deployed in an industrial setting was a transformational experience for Simran. She explained, “I went from nervous to confident in a short space of time. Our mentors trusted us and made us feel like true collaborators. The experience was not just about watching or learning, it was about doing and contributing in a meaningful way.”

For SIG, which also welcomed marketing interns from RIT Dubai, the initiative offered a unique opportunity to harness the creativity and technical expertise of next-generation talent, trained in the latest technological tools and approaches. Tripthi Tharoor, Talent Specialist for IMEA at SIG, said, “Our internship programs reflect what we stand for as an organization – developing talent, fostering collaboration, and creating opportunities for growth. These initiatives help us stay true to our goal of being an employer of choice, where each individual’s potential is recognized and nurtured. The RIT Dubai interns made an active contribution to SIG projects, while learning about the business environment. They demonstrated strong technical skills, but also a growth mindset, clear career objectives, and a high degree of professionalism.”

Supervising the students was Waleed Rashid, Digital Transformation Manager for IMEA, who remarked, “The students challenged us to look at problems differently, introducing new tools and approaches that we’ll continue to build on. Throughout the program, they gained confidence, developed business acumen, and became better communicators, and their contributions were both innovative and valuable. We certainly hope to replicate this initiative and build further ties with RIT Dubai in the future.”

In addition to technical expertise, the internship emphasized the development of soft skills. Students learned teamwork, leadership, stakeholder engagement, business communication, and presentation skills. Reflecting on the experience, Computing and Information Technologies major, Lana Kendakji, said, “My internship at SIG was an amazing experience. I was given the same privileges and responsibilities as a real full-time employee, which allowed me to learn and grow professionally.” Fellow intern, Jamile Obeid, added, “Being part of SIG’s Digital Transformation Program was genuinely rewarding. I got to work on meaningful projects with a team that cared about creating real impact through smart, innovative solutions.”

Presenting their final project directly to SIG executives, the internship culminated in a demonstration of the students’ growth in framing problems and delivering actionable solutions with clarity. Simran concluded, “This experience showed me the real-world impact my skills can bring and also reinforced my ambition to work at the intersection of AI and industry innovation with a company like SIG.”

Dr Yousef Al Assaf, President of RIT Dubai, concluded, “This partnership with SIG demonstrates our commitment to providing hands-on experiences that ensure students are job-ready as soon as they graduate. Tackling real industry challenges bridges the gap between academic learning and professional practice to build the skills, confidence, and mindset needed to make an immediate impact in the workplace.”

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About RIT Dubai

Established in 2008, RIT Dubai is a not-for-profit global campus of the esteemed Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, one of the world’s leading technological-focused universities with more than 185 years of history. RIT Dubai is now operating from phase one of its new $136 million state-of-the-art campus, which provides an interactive learning space set over 129,000 square meters.

RIT Dubai offers highly valued Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in business, psychology, media design, leadership, engineering, and computing. The curriculum offers students relevant work experience through an innovative cooperative education program, helping them stand out in today’s highly competitive job market. RIT Dubai offers American degrees issued directly from the main campus in New York, and all of RIT’s programs are UAE Ministry accredited. Students of RIT Dubai also have the unique opportunity to choose to study abroad at the main campus in New York or at one of its other global campuses.

About SIG

SIG is a leading solutions provider of packaging for better – better for our customers, for consumers, and for the world. With our unique portfolio of aseptic carton, bag-in-box, and spouted pouch, we work in partnership with our customers to bring food and beverage products to consumers around the world in a safe, sustainable, and affordable way. Our technology and outstanding innovation capabilities enable us to provide our customers with end-to-end solutions for differentiated products, smarter factories, and connected packs, all to address the ever-changing needs of consumers. Sustainability is integral to our business, and we strive to create a regenerative food packaging system.

Founded in 1853, SIG is headquartered in Neuhausen, Switzerland, and listed at the SIX Swiss Exchange. The skills and experience of our approximately 9,600 employees worldwide enable us to respond quickly and effectively to the needs of our customers in over 100 countries. In 2024, SIG produced 57 billion packs and generated €3.3 billion in revenue. SIG also has an AAA ESG rating by MSCI, a Platinum CSR rating by EcoVadis, and is included in the FTSE4Good Index. For more information, visit www.sig.biz