Poly students learn to set up profitable businesses that benefit the poor

Profit from a business while benefiting the disadvantaged? That's what 45 students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic are learning to do.

17-year-old Justin Lee's among the first batch of students taking up the Business & Social Enterprise course at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

"Social enterprise is not that popular yet, and not many people know about it. We just started this course. Some challenges are, will people believe in this model, in this structure of the organisation? That's one challenge we face, but I think we will overcome it," said Lee, a first-year student of Business & Social Enterprise at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

His classmate, 22-year-old Helena Nimali Fonseka dropped out from a private university after studying sociology for one and a half years. She opted for a more hands-on learning experience at the polytechnic.

She wants to learn how to create a sustainable social enterprise model in Singapore so she can help women in undeveloped countries get an education.

"Basically you need to set the culture right and just stick to it, preserve and not give up. And you have to be smart about your choices you need to change, so you can better your business to give quality and quantity for the people," said Fonseka, a first-year student of Business & Social Enterprise at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

They are getting tips from Kenny Low - the Schwab Social Entrepreneur 2007 winner.

Low's social enterprise venture, a performing arts centre, is now expected to generate a profit of S$100,000 by end 2008.

The money will be used for his other venture which provides non-profit, alternative education for juvenile youths in Singapore.

Said Low: "To inspire them and to share with them that there will be challenges that'll come. But if they don't give up, whatever dreams that they have will become realities."

"The most important thing for every social entrepreneur to find value in the services that they offer. When it has value, the market will respond to it. And subsequently the business will pick up."

During their three-year course, students will learn to set up businesses that can help the disadvantaged be more financially independent.

They will also learn to execute projects and promote corporate social responsibility in companies.

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