Abstract
The present contribution explores the alignment of student internship programs with university-industry collaboration (UIC) to address the gender gap in Makerspace participation at Arsi University, Ethiopia. Focusing on knowledge and technology exchange between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and industries, the research employs a mixed-methods approach, utilizing simple random sampling to select 167 students from three faculties: (i) Business and Economics, (ii) Health Sciences, and (iii) Agriculture and Environmental Sciences based on departmental size and student enrollment. Data was collected via open- and closed-ended questionnaires, assessing internship contributions to skill development and associated challenges. Key findings reveal that internships are the predominant form of university-industry engagement, yet their short duration (1–2 months) limits deeper experiential learning. Despite this, internships effectively replicate real-world work environments, enhancing employability. Major collaboration barriers include poor communication, weak institutional support, academia-industry mismatches, limited internship access, and low awareness. The study concludes with actionable recommendations for universities, industries, and students to foster equitable makerspace integration and strengthen practical training.