| James Kon |
SIXTEEN students from the School of Business, Politeknik Brunei (PB) yesterday tested the viability of their business in the real market at the PB Startup showcase 2018 at the Open Plaza of Yayasan Complex.
Director of Politeknik Brunei Denis Ho Mun Tai launched the two-day showcase.
The event is an initiative by PB to promote youth entrepreneurship through a student incubation project in the last year of their diploma programmes in Business Studies (General) as well as Business Studies (Entrepreneurship). The current second batch of student entrepreneurs created seven micro startups offering food and beverages, fashion, agriculture and travel services.
Lecturer Goh Chai Li is leading the project, with five internal mentors from the PB School of Business.
Dennis said, “The significance of Entrepreneurship education is well noted at the national level as the country continues in its effort towards the economic diversification away from the oil and gas.
“PB continues to play an important and active role in promoting student entrepreneurship through the continuous initiatives in the teaching and learning of business skills, mentorship and industry partnerships,” he said.
Head of PB School of Business Ian Wall said, “The internship incubation programme is an initiative to guide student entrepreneurs in the creation of their first business venture through a structured programme in the form of a three-month internship with the industry and another three-month incubation with PB.”
The internship allows students to work closely with a local entrepreneur, who acts as a mentor in the industry sector that the student is interested in. The aim is for students to learn directly about the industry and in running a business from first-hand experience of working with entrepreneurs. Having an entrepreneur as mentor adds considerable value to the internship experience.
After the internship phase, “students spend three months in an incubation environment at the PB School of Business. The incubation builds on the industry experience and students’ learning from the internship. Students work on creating their business plans being guided through weekly workshop sessions that help prepare them to start-up their first business ventures,” he explained.
One of the participating group was Maitha Collection, a local brand selling elegant clothing, which was invited to join this year 28th Teacher’s Day celebration at the International Convention Centre. His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and members of the royal family visited the booth.
The other micro businesses are AOP (Adobe of Peace sportwears), Femmes Scarves, Byaqilah, FAZ, FunGro and Brunei Musafir.