SHANGHAI -?Shanghai municipal authority has organized a number of companies and institutions that will offer internships to thousands of foreign students.

The program, which is sponsored by the city's education commission, foreign affairs office and the public security bureau, named 11 companies and government entities that have intern opportunities for foreigners.

Among the employers are Shanghai Textile Group Co. Ltd., Shanghai Automobile International Trade Co. Ltd., Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital and Pujiang Hotel (also known as Richard's Hotel).
Starting from 2017, intern opportunities will be posted on www.study-shanghai.org, a website for foreign students.

There are more than 56,000 foreign students from 185 countries and regions studying in 39 universities and colleges in Shanghai, according to the municipal education commission.
A growing number of foreign students want to find jobs Shanghai after they graduate.

Michael Richard, who studied for his masters at Donghua University this year, told Xinhua that thanks to the city's favorable employment policies he obtained a full time job in July.

The American said his one-year internship with a logistic company was vital to securing a full time job, and helped him understand the Chinese economy and culture.

At Donghua University, there are 4,700 foreign students on campus. They are from 140 countries and regions.