Going Global 2012 International Education Conference 13 15 March 2012 The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London, UK Developing Skills for Prosperity in the Arab Spring Countries.. The Importance of Nurturing Entrepreneurship Spirit among University Students in Bahrain Manager Bahrain Polytechnic Email: abdulhasan.aldairi@polytechnic.bh Web: www.polytechnic.bh President Bahrain SMEs Society Email: bahrainsmes@gmail.com Web: www.bsmes.net
Introduction 2
Introduction Entrepreneurship; Opportunity for achieving Great Ambitions Through-which an idea can be turned into a new business or industry that could change the whole world An area where countries can learn from each other the business market is the most powerful force for economic growth and lifting people out of poverty Social Entrepreneurship; where real change comes from the bottom up, starting with the dreams & passions -Barak Obama, President, USA Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship, White House, 26-27 April 2010 3
Importance of Entrepreneurship Education (Empowerment) to Entrepreneurs & MSMEs Entrepreneurship & Intrapreneurship Education Both lead for well-trained entrepreneurs (Owners) &/or employees (Intrapreneurs) That eventually leads for productive MSMEs Entrepreneur: A person who starts his own business Intrapreneur: A person who is not Entrepreneur. He works for others, but entrepreneurial (has Entrepreneur s traits of innovation and creativity) A study by Charney and Lidecap (2000) in the US, reports that 27.2% of entrepreneurship graduates started a business, compared with 9% for graduates from other areas of business. External Surrounding Environment Effects Entrepreneurship and/ or Intrapreneurship Training Well-Trained Entrepreneurs/ Owners Owners Well-Trained Employees Employees High High Production Performance Of Of HR HR (Owner/ (Owner/ Employee) Employee) High High Performance of of Labor Labor Market Market High High Performance Of Of MSMEs MSMEs Enhanced Enhanced Economy Economy Impact of Entrepreneurship Education on Enhancing the Performance of MSMEs & the Labor Market (PhD Thesis) 4
Importance & Main Findings of the Study The study considers the impact and importance of an Entrepreneurship Development Program known as (UNIDO EDP), through a systematic analysis and evaluation. 57% of the participants felt they could perform their job/ business in a better way after they joined the Program. 86% of them were satisfied with the program admission and over all administration. 75% rated the EDP to be Very Good. People see problems as Problems.. Only Entrepreneurs see Problems as Opportunities 5
Importance & Main Findings of the Study Capacity Building Service/Training ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Counseling & Technology Tie-up possibly Leading to a full-fledged Joint Venture Financial Services Business Development Services & Advisory for Business Growth Including Establishment of Business Incubators & Technology Park 6
Conclusion & Recommendations- I The following views as perceived by the respondents remarks: 1. Conducting intensive training seminars (local/ international level) such as: Training for industry Consultancy for services Product testing for quality assurance Information gathering, processing and dissemination Advisory services 2. Developing a comprehensive training program for SMEs, dealing with: Upgrading the skills of SMEs owners and workers Funding of employees skills upgrading Certification procedures Training of trainers (TOT) for work supervisors Curricula development for SMEs 3. Strengthening linkages among micro, small & large enterprises, as well as research centers, universities, institutes, and voluntary bodies. 4. Promotion of training programs for the micro and small enterprises sector. 5. To have an advance training programs for expanding the business. 7
Conclusion & Recommendations- II 1. The survey results confirm with the theory that Entrepreneurship Education helps in: Bringing awareness to starting own business Changing the citizens mindset (especially youth) regarding their perceptions towards self-employment Increasing the number of graduates who start their own business Increasing the ratio of business enterprises survival 2. There is a need for more Entrepreneurship specialised (Sectoral) programs to promote Entrepreneurship and cater for entrepreneurs' various needs (Training-Needs Analysis). 3. The EDP graduates are good evidence that Entrepreneurship Education is useful tool to help start and expand businesses. 4. Although general characteristics are universally agreed, some individual characteristics don t apply across as every country has its own cultures and habits which differ (i.e. youth in Bahrain may have different habits effects from those in other countries). 5. There is a need in Bahrain (now more than any other time) for a National Strategy for Entrepreneurship promotion & development. 8
The Way forward.. 1. UNIDO s Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) is capitalizing on Unido s international network to forge more international ties and learn from others experience. 2. Bahrain Polytechnic, under the auspices of USAID Program has forged a 3-year Cooperation Program with Central Community College, Nebraska, USA which would entail the establishment of Enterprise Development Centre, sharing experience, staff exchange and joint events. 3. Bahrain Polytechnic has also forged international linkages with the Employment Research Institute (ERI) at Edinburgh Napier University, UK to cooperate in implementing Labour Market Intelligence Project. 4. Bahrain Polytechnic operates with a Strong Faith that sharing each other s experience creates Synergy and accelerates the development efforts. 9
Bahrain Polytechnic 1. Bahrain Polytechnic has been established to bridge the labour market demand for graduates who are: Skilled and knowledgeable, Work ready, Technically and Professionally qualified 2. Graduate Students: That the employers want Modern and progressive outlook Talented and skilled Creative and innovative problem solvers Show initiative and commitment Excellent work ethic; know how to work hard 10
Bahrain Polytechnic 11
Developing Skills for Prosperity in the Arab Spring Countries.. Importance of Nurturing Entrepreneurship Spirit among University Students in Bahrain Thank you.. Going Global 2012 International Education Conference 13 15 March 2012 The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London, UK 12