Finalist

Entrepreneurial University of the Year Award

Botswana Accountancy College

Finalist of the Entrepreneurial University of the Year Award

Botswana Accountancy College - Botswana

"Empowering Innovators, Igniting Change"


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The Award Ceremony for this entry (award category "Entrepreneurial University of the Year ") will take place on 27 June 2023, 18:45 to 19:45 CEST.

Summary

Our institution is committed to fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among our students, while equipping them with the necessary tools to bring their ideas to fruition. Over the past twenty-six (26) years, our institution has emerged as a distinguished business school in Botswana, offering market-focused courses that prepare students for the challenges of the real world.

What sets us apart from other institutions is our focus on experiential learning, where students are encouraged to take risks, experiment, and learn from their failures. Our curriculum is complemented by a range of entrepreneurial initiatives, including the Read2Trade, Battlefield, and Consultancy projects, designed to equip students with the practical skills needed to launch and manage a successful business.

To support our students’ entrepreneurial journey, we offer a wealth of resources and support services, including mentorship, networking opportunities, and incubator programs. Our faculty comprises a competent team of experts, supported by strategic partnerships with organizations such as the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA), Botswana Digital and Innovation Hub (BDIH), Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA), Debswana Diamond Company, and the Ministry of Youth, Gender Sports & Culture (MYSC).

Through these collaborations, we have been able to further our mission of fostering entrepreneurship among our students, while also contributing to the development of Botswana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our institution is proud to be at the forefront of this movement, and we look forward to continuing to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs in Botswana and beyond.

Key People


Ms Serty Leburu
Executive Director
Executive,  Botswana Accountancy College



Dr Jacob Holland
Head of Strategy & Institutional Development (Ag)
Strategy and Institutional Development,  Botswana Accountancy College



Ms Refilwe Malepa
Lecturer
School of Business and Leisure,  Botswana Accountancy College


Acknowledgements

We express our gratitude to our partners and stakeholders for their invaluable support and contributions towards the development and success of our entrepreneurship initiatives. With their expertise, resources, and networks, we have been able to provide our students with the best possible entrepreneurial education and experiences.

In addition, we extend our appreciation to the funding bodies and grants for their support, which has enabled us to expand our programs and reach a wider audience. Thanks to their assistance, we have been able to equip our students with the necessary resources and opportunities to excel as entrepreneurs.

Lastly, we recognize and commend the hard work and dedication of our team and faculty members, who have tirelessly developed and delivered our entrepreneurship programs and initiatives. Their enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and unwavering commitment to student success have been instrumental in our accomplishments and growth as an institution.

Images

Top 8 Student Groups-Debswana Entrepreneurship Challenge

Top 16 Student Groups Boot Camp-Debswana Entrepreneurship Challenge

Students Ideating at the Incubation Centre

Showcasing Products during Market Day

Students Workshop on Business Pitching

Registration for the Debswana Entrepreneurship Challenge

Students Presenting Findings to a Client-Consultancy Project

Students Presenting Findings to a Client-Consultancy Project

Induction for the incubates

IMPACT STORY

Impacting lifes

In 2022, a group of three ambitious students joined our entrepreneurship incubation program with little more than an idea and a dream to start their own businesses. Our program provided comprehensive mentorship, workshops, funding, and a supportive community of fellow entrepreneurs to help kickstart their entrepreneurial journey.

With the help of our program, these students spent the next few months refining their business plans and learning the ins and outs of running a successful enterprise. Thanks to the resources and support provided by our program, they secured the necessary funding to launch their business and take it to the next level, feeling confident and well-prepared.

As their business grew, our program continued to provide them with valuable mentorship and guidance. They connected with other entrepreneurs in our community, sharing their experiences and learning from others. They even took up the mantle of mentoring other aspiring entrepreneurs, imparting the knowledge and support they received in our program to others.

This group of students is just one of many success stories that have emerged from our entrepreneurship incubation program. Over the years, we have supported numerous entrepreneurs in launching and growing their businesses. Some have become industry leaders, while others have found success on a smaller scale, but all have benefited from the resources and support we offer. For the students who participate in our program, it is more than just a business incubation, it is a community of like-minded individuals with a shared goal of transforming their dreams into reality.

LEARNINGS

Lessons learned

Entrepreneurship is a dynamic journey full of discoveries that requires continuous exploration, and an awareness of our evolving cultural and business landscapes. Through this journey, we have learned valuable lessons that have helped our institution to produce graduates who possess well-rounded entrepreneurial skills, applicable across various economic sectors. One of the most surprising things we have learned is that entrepreneurship goes beyond having a great idea or product; it’s also about execution and building a strong team. We have discovered that having a diverse and talented team with complementary skill sets is critical to success.

Another significant lesson we have learned is that flexibility and adaptation are the foundations of entrepreneurship. These qualities pave the way for collaboration and innovation, involving networking and building relationships with key stakeholders, such as industry experts, investors, and successful entrepreneurs. These relationships can provide advice, support, resources, and valuable insights on this wonderful journey of entrepreneurship. Additionally, we have learned that staying adaptable and willing to pivot strategies when necessary is crucial in staying relevant and successful.

For those who aspire to take a similar path, we advise embracing failure as a learning opportunity, seeking out mentorship and guidance, and being persistent in pursuing goals. It’s also essential to stay true to your values and vision, even when faced with challenges and setbacks.

In conclusion, we are grateful for the recognition and hope that our experiences and learnings can inspire and guide others on their entrepreneurial journey.

FUTURE PLANS

What's coming?

BAC’s vision is to become the business school of choice in Africa and beyond, with plans to expand to other African countries. The institution also seeks to establish itself as an entrepreneurship hub in Botswana, providing business incubation centre and consultancy services for both students and the public, including underrepresented communities. As a university, our focus remains on providing students with the necessary tools and support to thrive as entrepreneurs.

Our goal is to run the hub entirely through student leadership, with mentorship from industry leaders to foster and develop the entrepreneurial skills necessary for larger organizations. Profits generated by the hub will be reinvested in expanding to other areas where BAC operates.

We also aim to strengthen our partnerships with industry experts, investors, and other entrepreneurs to provide students with access to valuable networks and resources. This will give them real-world experience and knowledge they can apply to their ventures.

We believe that entrepreneurship is an ongoing journey, and we remain optimistic about the possibilities the future holds. We are committed to staying flexible and open to new opportunities and challenges, and we look forward to continuing to make a positive impact in the field of entrepreneurship.

KEY STATISTICS

42

Startups launched in the last 3 years

12

Students who have received funding from the institution to launch their own businesses within the past 4 years

112

Student groups that took part in the inaugural Debswana Entrepreneurship University Challenge

4

Student groups that made it to the last 16 of the inaugural Debswana Entrepreneurship University challenge

1

Student group that made it to the last 8 of the inaugural Debswana Entrepreneurship University challenge

24 000 USD

Seed capital disbursed to 12 students within the last 4 years enabling them to launch their own businesses

200+

Students who completed a consultancy project within the last 4 years and have since graduated

198

Students who have been influenced or impacted by entrepreneurship projects within the last 3 years

12

ICT Applications developed for the industry by students in the last 4 years

1000+

Students who participated in Graduate employability programs in the last 4 years

Triple E Awards

The Triple E Awards are a global recognition of efforts toward the quest for entrepreneurship and engagement in higher education. It is the first award to focus specifically on different dimensions of the universities' third mission. Implemented regionally, the Triple E Awards aim to foster change in universities and to emphasize their role in their communities and ecosystems.

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