The Hybrid Academia–Industry Internship via Virtual Engagement (HAIVE) Program is an innovative, part-time, paid internship that bridges academic study with real-world risk challenges.
The Need for HAIVE
Unlike other countries, Canada has very few university programs in Risk Management & Insurance, which makes it harder for students to enter this field and for the industry to attract fresh talent. At the same time, new challenges like cyber threats, climate change, and artificial intelligence are reshaping the industry faster than it can adapt. This gap creates both a challenge and an opportunity, and the industry urgently needs skilled young professionals who are ready to make a difference.
The HAIVE program was created to meet this need by giving students the skills, mentorship, and real-world experience to launch successful careers in RMI.
What is HAIVE?
HAIVE (Hybrid Academia-Industry Internship via Virtual Engagement) is a unique 16-week part-time internship program developed by RISC that strengthens academia–industry collaboration by connecting top students from the University of Toronto and York University. Students are placed into interdisciplinary inter-university teams and paired with two mentors:
- A risk expert who frames a live business challenge or policy issue relevant to their organization.
- An academic expert (PhD-level), who guides the methodological and theoretical framing of the
project and helps develop solutions.
How does it work?
Gain real-world experience
Interns are grouped into teams of three. Each HAIVE team will be matched with an industry mentor, who will frame the problem for the team to solve, and an academic mentor who will guide the process and provide academic support and tools needed for analytical rigor.
Paid internship
The internship, held once each semester, provides each intern with a salary of $22/hour. Mid-term and final presentations are delivered to industry executives to demonstrate progress and learning outcomes.
Hybrid working environment
The program operates in a hybrid format, combining in-person sessions with virtual communication and collaboration tools, such as Virtual Reality, making it accessible to participants from different locations and inclusive of individuals with physical disabilities.
Virtual Reality Technology
HAIVE incorporates the use of Virtual Reality technology as part of the hybrid component of the internship. Interns are required to submit a presentation in the mid-program presentation section.
Past Project Snapshots
HAIVE Interns work on a diverse set of projects, including but not limited to, climate risk, cyber risk, emerging risks, SDGs, ESGs, and others.
HAIVE Industry Partners
The success of the HAIVE program grows out of the team of dedicated Risk Management & Insurance industry leaders that help interns hone all the necessary skills to launch successful careers right upon graduation.
Insights from our HAIVE Intern
John Seo
Former HAIVE Intern and current RBC, Junior Trade Support Analyst Intern
Testimonials
