MBIG Hosts IT Awareness Program at MB Patel College, Sakoli

Sakoli: MB Patel College, Sakoli, in association with MBIG Company, recently organized a one-day IT Awareness Program aimed at empowering students with essential knowledge on internship scams, cyber security, fake links, and social media frauds. The initiative was part of the college’s continuous effort to prepare its students for the challenges of the digital era.

The highlight of the program was the address by Mr. Shubham Parkhedkar, CEO of MBIG Company, who shared valuable insights on how students can safeguard themselves against the rising threats of online fraud. He pointed out that in today’s competitive academic and professional environment, many young students become easy targets for fraudulent companies that lure them with fake internship and placement offers in exchange for money.

“Internships are designed to build knowledge, not to exploit students financially. Any company demanding money for internships is committing fraud, and students should never fall prey to such tactics,” said Mr. Parkhedkar while addressing the gathering.

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Key Guidelines for Students The session was structured around the directives issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, and focused on important do’s and don’ts every student should follow:

 Genuine internships are always free of cost. No legitimate company charges a fee for offering internships. Stipend opportunities exist, but they are benefits provided by the company for work done, not charges demanded from students.

 Students must insist on receiving official documents such as an offer letter, joining letter, and completion certificate for every internship.

Fraudulent practices like demanding money for internships should be treated as scams, and such incidents must be reported immediately.

Before applying, students should verify company details on trusted platforms such as MCA portal, GST/MSME registration databases, Google Reviews, Google News, ScamAdviser, and official social media channels.

Companies found guilty of fraud face legal action under the Consumer Protection Act, Information Technology Act, and Indian Penal Code (IPC). Complaints can and should be submitted to the Department of Science & Technology (DST) for investigation and action.

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Focus on Cyber Security

Apart from internship scams, the program also highlighted the growing importance of cyber security awareness. Students were cautioned against clicking on unknown or suspicious links, urged to check the authenticity of websites before entering personal information, and reminded to protect their identities on social media platforms.

Mr. Parkhedkar explained that phishing links and fake job offers shared through social media are among the fastest-growing cyber threats today. By remaining alert and verifying sources, students can significantly reduce their chances of falling victim to such scams.

--- Role of the College

The faculty members and coordinators of MB Patel College, Sakoli, played a proactive role in making the IT Awareness Program a success. Their collaboration with MBIG Company ensured that students not only understood the risks of digital fraud but also learned the proper steps to stay safe online and during the internship process.

By creating such learning opportunities, MB Patel College once again demonstrated its commitment to providing students with real-world skills alongside academic knowledge.