Students are considered for attachment at IMO Headquarters only at the request of their Governments or appropriate governmental authorities if the country concerned is a Member State of IMO or at the request of Universities/high learning institutions. The Internship Programme is particularly designed for students undertaking research in the activities of the Organization for the main purpose of writing their dissertation or to further their own research. The purpose of the attachment must be directly related to the work of IMO and the request for attachment should indicate clearly the specific areas of the Organization's work that are of interest to the applicant. The Programme does not provide opportunities for students to be attached to the Secretariat as trainees in order to obtain work or practical experience, and students who apply individually for internship on this basis will not be eligible. In order to apply a fair treatment towards all applicants, the Programme operates on a 'first come, first served basis'. IMO does not have a training programme for interns as such. Students who are accepted for a period of internship are not supervised and are expected to determine for themselves the method and scope of their work at IMO. The Organization cannot give regular assignments to interns or incorporate them into the work schedule of the Secretariat of the Organization. They will be given the opportunity, when appropriate, to observe the proceedings of any committees or bodies of the Organization which may be meeting during the period of their stay. However, all interns will attend IMO meetings in their personal capacity only and cannot sit with delegations from their respective countries or take part in the meetings.