Source: http://www.africareport.com/
One of the largest private institutions of higher learning in Europe, the ALTIS Postgraduate School of Business and Society Milan, Italy has come up with a unique solution for social entrepreneurs in Africa that are not in a position to travel all the way to Europe. ALTIS has partnered with a Kenyan college, the Tangaza College that is currently hosting the program mainly for future African entrepreneurs. Even current entrepreneurs can benefit from this program.
The new program on offer entitled “MBA in Social Entrepreneurship and Management” is aimed at training those entrepreneurs who are interested in building their capacity so as to proactively contribute to their countries’ sustainable development by combining managerial and entrepreneurial skills with key aspects of social development.
The MBA program, which is in its first year, has already attracted social entrepreneurs from 14 countries across the continent working on both non-profit and for-profit business ideas in agriculture, youth empowerment, energy and education with a defined social benefit. The first batch of “social entrepreneurs” is graduating this December. So, all those interested in joining the social entrepreneurship program have the opportunity to do so now.
The eligibility requirements are Bachelors Degree and a passion for entrepreneurship and making positive impact in community. The programme is open to both social entrepreneurs-to-be and those already running their own enterprises and are seeking to grow.
This MBA programme has on offer five full tuition scholarships and up to 20 more partial tuition scholarships to interested participants.
“The idea of this MBA is to empower social entrepreneurs with skills needed to see them through the initial drafting of a fundable business plan, financing and finally successful execution and replication to impact communities in Africa,” said Prof. Ronnie George the programmes Business Development Manager and Consulting Professor.
“We are planning to establish a social venture capital fund by early next year. Participants of the MBA programme whose business plans demonstrate viability and sustainability will be eligible to join a portfolio of businesses to be funded, thereby overcoming the challenge of accessing funds,” said Prof. George.
During the year of study, participants get the chance to interact with academicians and successful social entrepreneurs while drafting their business ideas that should be fundable and ready for implementation after graduation.
Participants are taken through courses such as business administration, financial accounting, innovation in agribusiness, marketing for social entrepreneurs, renewable energy and sustainability policies in SME strategy.
