Students from ethnic minority backgrounds are being encouraged to use their university educations to start new businesses.
The new focus on black and minority ethnic (BME) students finding enterprising ways to make the most of their degrees was started in the West Midlands throughout Aston and Birmingham City Universities.
Entrepreneurs from ethnic communities have been asked to share their experiences with the students and act as role models to inspire graduates.
Dr Javed Hussain, Birmingham City University Business School, said:
“O
ur role models are inspiring students to consider entrepreneurship as a career choice due to their shared cultural background and their business success stories.”
Examples of students that have already been inspired by the initiative include a PhD student from the British Pakistani community who formed a pharmaceutical company which he expects to double in size.
Another of the project’s success stories is an Indian Birmingham City University student who went on to form an internet business which aims to recruit up to 30 people over the next three years.
Dr Hussain will discussing the project in further detail at the
Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) conference in Glasgow next month.
Professor Paul Hannon, president of ISBE congratulated Dr Hussain for his ‘innovative and valuable work’ with the initiative.
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2007
