The partnership supports the introduction of a special bursary scheme for E-Club members wishing to study for a Henley Business School Flexible Executive MBA
HONG KONG, Sept. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Henley Business School today confirmed its commitment to fostering innovative entrepreneurship by announcing a strategic alliance with The Entrepreneurs Club (E-Club) which will significantly extend support to the entrepreneurial community in Hong Kong and across the Asia region.
As part of the collaboration, Professor Andrew Godley, Director of Henley Business School's Centre for Entrepreneurship will provide ongoing advice, guidance and expertise to The Entrepreneurs Club by becoming a "Special Advisor" to the organization with a particular focus on developing the entrepreneurial capabilities of its members.
Through the partnership, planned activities include the introduction of a special bursary scheme offering financial assistance to E-Club members wishing to develop their strategic management skills and leadership expertise by studying for Henley Business School's award-winning Flexible Executive MBA programme.
Henley Business School also joins organisations such as Google and HK Invest (through The StartmeupHK Venture Programme) in nourishing entrepreneurial initiatives in Hong Kong in supporting the E-Club's members.
According to Mr. Neil Logan, Director - Asia Pacific for Henley Business School, a strong economy needs a climate that encourages entrepreneurs to create and grow businesses, and these latest measures place the school at the heart of a movement to create a strong culture of entrepreneurship in Hong Kong and Asia that can help create jobs, spread wealth and spur innovation.
"Henley Business School's alliance with the E-Club is a significant step towards fulfilling our local and regional ambitions to dramatically increase the prevalence and success of entrepreneurs," remarks Mr. Logan. "It reinforces our commitment to inspire potential entrepreneurs to start their own enterprising ventures and to encourage existing businesses to develop their potential."
Mr. Logan comments that to maintain its reputation as Asia's World City, Hong Kong not only needs to expand its current enterprise support initiatives, but must also cultivate an environment whereby emerging entrepreneurs are nurtured to develop market-leading businesses that will drive the territory's future growth and prosperity.
"Our collaboration with the E-Club presents The Henley Centre for Entrepreneurship with a further opportunity to work hand-in-hand with some of the brightest and most innovative businesses in the world," says Mr. Logan. "In fact, many Henley MBA students go on to start up their own successful companies having benefitted from the leadership skills and experience gained through the programme."
Speaking on the partnership, E-Club Vice President & Director, Ms. Lizette Smook, who is Founder and CEO of Innovasians Limited and a Henley MBA graduate herself, agrees that the resources available to an MBA student positions such programmes as an excellent incubator for entrepreneurs providing benefits that can make a significant difference in business.
"Given my own experience, I can fully appreciate that it is not easy to get one's business idea off the ground and in any capacity of entrepreneurship and management, you need to learn to thrive and grow in difficult situations and to find creative solutions to overcome challenges and obstacles."
Ms. Smook elaborates that studying for a Henley Business School MBA degree had equipped her with the necessary skills and mental fortitude to succeed in business. "For this reason, we are looking forward to working with Henley's Professor Andrew Godley to provide further inspiration, support and advice to E-Club members who will be able to leverage from his experience in entrepreneurial education."
In terms of financial assistance, the initiative will see Henley Business School offer bursaries up to 25% off tuition fees to subsidize E-Club member's participation in the school's Flexible Executive MBA programme.
Continues Mr. Logan, "This financial assistance programme is particularly aimed at small and medium sized enterprises and could possibly be combined with other flexible payment schedules or funding support such as the Hong Kong Student Financial Assistance Agency Loan Scheme."
Mr. Logan concludes that finance should not be a barrier to entrepreneurs gaining an invaluable business education. "For the future, we will therefore continue to explore new ways in which we can make MBA education accessible to even more people."
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