Student-run businesses offer real-world experience for Singapore Polytechnic students

22 Nov 2024

SP launched an enhanced programme, developed in partnership with the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) and supported by Mentoring SG, that will commence in 2025. The programme, Business Essentials Through Action (BETA), which is compulsory for all first-year business students, gives them a taste of what it’s like to run a business. Mr Lucas Tok, acting deputy senior director of SP’s Business & Creatives Cluster, said: “We found that students will remember more when they actually apply what they learn and solve problems on their own, so learning from failure is more impactful.” Under the enhanced version of the programme, about 600 students are expected to participate in multidisciplinary classes. Industry experts will also be coming on board as mentors again, but with greater involvement – they will mentor students at various touchpoints, beyond just giving them feedback at the end of the module. Mr Venkat Alagappan, a Year 1 Diploma in Business Administration student, who is doing the BETA module, said: “I don’t normally enjoy presentations, but as I am passionate about my business, I love the challenge that comes with presenting our idea to our lecturers and convincing them that our business is worth investing in.” His group is selling shirts with motifs of Greek gods. Business administration student Merla Bhuvanesh, said: “The very fact that you get to see your idea come to life, and learn from the process of selling it while having lots of fun at the same time, is what I like most (about BETA).” Some of the start-up’s students in the 2024/2025 academic year are working on including upcycling jars into terrariums and making eco-friendly air fresheners from recycled coffee grounds. At the end of the module, the students will showcase their final products and put them up for sale to the public. Similar news reported in Berita Harian.

[The Straits Times Online]