Students in business

Seeing students getting their hands on real business is just a fantastic idea. When I saw on TV about such program in Ateneo de Manila University, I can't help but notice their creativity as well as their heart for what they are doing. From what I know the Gokongweis were also behind the program and went as far as constructing a "campus mall" for business students to practice what they learn from class.

The program is not new. As a matter of fact, in Nova Scotia for example, they have what they call "Students in Business Program" which is a government sponsored interest-free loan program for students in Nova Scotia wanting to start their own business. The program is supervised by a private consulting company to ensure that student-owned businesses get the knowledge and market assistance to successfully maintain it until they graduate. The program is funded by federal and provincial government agencies throughout Nova Scotia.

Another high-visibility example of student entrepreneurship is on the Washington University campus with what they call the "Student-Owned Businesses Program." They opened the first floor of the dormitory for student shops. These businesses cater mostly to student needs: bike rental, water delivery, screen printing - nine physical shops currently, with online ones popping up, also. These are not merely mock exercises in running a business. The outlay and return of money is also real.

Almost at the end of the semester, I get invitations to review many student project studies or thesis. And more often than not, most of the students just go through the motions of academic compliance than trying to apply their what they have learned.

But largely, the school should be responsible for providing the means to enable students become full-pledged businessmen especially those who take up business management or administration courses.

You can easily guess that most of those who graduated from business schools or courses today either end up working for a call center or doesn't have a job at all.

Government, especially LGUs, should also participate in this effort by setting aside a special fund to support student-owned business projects that teach valuable work skills and that incubate a business idea so that upon graduation the student is not left unemployed.

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The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) cordially invites you to a free stock market seminar on Saturday, 10 March 2007 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm, at the Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

This endeavor is in line with the PSE's main thrust to revitalize the local capital market by inculcating the stock market in the minds of a greater number of Filipinos. Through such investor education activities, we hope to promote the stock market as an effective venue for mobilizing capital for business enterprises, which in turn will generate more employment, more livelihood opportunities and more economic growth.

We have lined up experts who will share their expertise on stock market topics that we are sure prospective investors and would-be IPO candidates will find interesting.

We have a limited number of slots. Thus, we require participants to pre-register as we will accommodate only registered participants on a first-come, first-served, basis.

Pre-registration, however, is no hassle, because you can just call the PSE Market Education Department at (632) 688-7536 to 39 to pre-register and confirm your attendance. Or you may sign up by sending your name and company/organization via fax at (02) 6346695 or email to either [email protected] or [email protected].

Send emails to [email protected]