Entrepreneurship is often hailed as the backbone of economic growth, providing a pathway for young students to not only generate an income but also drive positive change.
This is why one of the main strategies highlighted as part of the nation’s Brunei Vision 2035 is focused on the development of local businesses, with strategy number five being ‘A local business development strategy that will enhance opportunities for local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as enable Brunei Malays to achieve leadership in business and industry by developing greater competitive strength’.
Various nationwide initiatives have been taken to help instil the entrepreneurship mind-set, to create opportunities and drive growth in the development of SMEs, especially among youth, through activities that can equip them with the skills to navigate the ever-changing business landscape.
One such effort was for young aspiring students at Sayyidina Ali Secondary School (SMSA), where 10 groups comprising 57 students showcased their creativity and entrepreneurship skills as part of SMSA Entrepreneurship Day.
The two-day event was organised to help students gain a better understanding of the work needed to start their businesses in a controlled environment.
The Bulletin spoke with Deputy Principal of Academics Fadhlul Haadi bin Haji Dollah to learn more about the event and the preparations made to ensure the success of the event and its participating students.
“Before the event (of SMSA Entrepreneurship Day), the students had undergone a one-month boot camp where teachers from the Business and Accounting Department, as well as the Food and Nutrition Department, briefed the students on the basics of managing a business, curating the food and drinks as well as how to properly handle them.”
This rigorous boot camp came to fruition as the 10 groups of 57 students had set up several booths featuring a wide variety of lovingly handcrafted products that they had spent months preparing.
Fadhlul Haadi added that the students were also given the opportunity to design their own posters, menus, and more through Canva. One of these groups that embraced the creative approach in their design was the humbly named ‘Kemari Tah’.
Group member Aura Raihanna Danish binti Muhammad Shahrel shared their first endeavour into the world of entrepreneurship through their vibrantly pink booth.
“We were inspired by the latest Barbie movie, and as such, our booth is themed around that, including pink accents as well as similarly colourful and yummy food and drinks to go along with it.”
She noted that the pink design along with the themed food were quite an attraction and that they were popular at the event.
“While we were heavily challenged with the strict timeline, we were able to set up the booth just in time for today’s event.”
Amid the various booths and stalls that featured a wide variety of food and drinks from different cuisines and cultures, one booth stood out as they offered not the standard food and drinks, but rather adorable handmade cartoon stickers and bookmarks.
“What inspired us (to make stickers and bookmarks) is that since we are in school, many of us have files and bags and want to express ourselves and stand out.
“So thinking about that, we decided to make custom stickers because it is a good choice to fulfil that need which can be stuck to our files and bags,” said Muhd Wafri Ethan Idraki bin Muhd Idwini, a member of the group Handcraft Hobbies.
He said that he and his group had participated in the boot camp in preparation for the event which provided an opportunity for them to overcome some of the challenges they had faced.
“At first, we had difficulties in sourcing paper to print the stickers as well as to manage and balance working on our project and school in general, but, Alhamdulillah, we managed to push through.”
Having made a splash on the entrepreneurship day, he and the group were not so sure of their success at first as Muhd Wafri Ethan Idraki recalled how they were quite nervous at the start.
“We were kind of worried at first as not a lot of people came up, but as time went on, we started to get more students and teachers approaching our booth, and we are so grateful and appreciate that.
“In creating and managing our booth, we were able to experience the steps needed to manage a business as an entrepreneur, which helps us gain an understanding of the hard work and effort that goes into businesses not only within Brunei but also across the world.” – Daniel Lim
