College of Business, Hospitality, and Tourism Studies

MGT802 Business Strategies for

Entrepreneurs
MAJOR PROJECT

Development of
Entrepreneurial and
Innovative programmes in
Higher Education in Fiji
Rohit Ritesh Chand

2010003785
 Development of Entrepreneurial and Innovative programmes in Higher Education in Fiji
Business Proposal
(For Consideration)
[By Rohit Ritesh Chand]

1. Introduction

1.1 The purpose of this paper is to consider or apply this proposal in Fiji’s educational system
with the introduction of development of Entrepreneurial and Innovative programmes in
Higher Education in Fiji. Post-COVID -19 has exposed this problem where workers lost
their jobs and now in need of income to support their families. Local social media
highlighted an increase in the number of people engaging in informal trading and bartering in
order to earn income or obtain goods and services.

1.2 This will not just benefit us, society but as well as it will give the boost to the economy
during this pandemic and also all future. The project offers a sustainable solution to the
problem. The Development of Entrepreneurial and Innovative programmes discussed in
this project can be used or applied in the Ministry of Education (MoE) where students and
staff have access to knowledge in both theory and practice. The goal is to develop
an entrepreneurial culture starting from adolescence through the use of
reading materials, mathematical exercises, and the study of stories related to
entrepreneurship and innovation. The program includes the preparation of
materials, trainer teaching, and the creation of a website for developing
contents and facilitating exchange .

1.3 Coronavirus outbreaks cause global health emergencies, and a global economic slowdown.
Trade, investment, and employment have all been affected and the crisis will have an impact
on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The sectors most affected are trade,
tourism, transportation, education, and health.

Innovative Entrepreneur Development Initiatives

One of the drawbacks we experienced in preparing this paper was the lack of
validated measurement s of innovation. There are indicators for the levels of
invention in a country — such as investment in research, development, and innovation
— but measurements of marketing are lacking, such as licenses, which is a more
accurate point of reference for technological innovation. However, entrepreneurship
and innovation programs in Fiji, where universities are an essential part of the
most prominent innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems, are worldwide role
models.
2. Knowledge Management System for Small Medium Enterprises (KMSSME)

2.1 Every business or organization in the world possesses huge amounts of information, data,
knowledge and expertise and this amount keeps mounting with each passing day. In order to
use this knowledge in the best possible way, there is the need for a system that can collect
data, store it, share it and manage it effectively. Knowledge management is a concept that
deals with this storing and managing of information or data possessed by a working
organization. To understand what exactly a knowledge management system is and how can it
be implemented through the company, you can go through the following given information.

2.2 The concept of Knowledge Management focuses primarily on the important objectives of a
business including change, innovation, gaining the competitive edge over others, improving
performances, utilizing knowledge as well as sharing or distributing things learned
throughout the workforce.

2.3 Even in spite of the importance of Knowledge Management, most organizations do not have
strategies or ways to implement it and use it to their benefit. This is especially important for
small-scale companies that may not consider it crucial to devote time and resources of
distribution and utilization of knowledge.

3. Vision /Mission

Our Vision Statement

3.1 Our Vision is to introduce curriculum in schools which focus on the development of
Entrepreneurial and Innovative programmes in Higher Education in Fiji and for this the
Ministry of Education can collaborate with students and teachers where students and staff
have access to knowledge in both theory and practice of small business.

3.2 Our Mission Statement

We are set to become the best country to tackle the Post-COVID -19 problems where
workers have lost their jobs and now in need of income to support their families and only
Ministry of education can enforce this education curriculum in the education system and
provide the better education to students who can get best knowledge which help them
survive in future during this kind of pandemics.

4. Project Objectives

4.1. Our project objective is educating youths of the country to overcome problems the whole
world is suffering as a result of Covid-19. The nation is trying to overcome
unemployment rate, fight against poverty and ad providing people with food and money,
therefore Ministry of Education can collaborate with students, government, teachers and
 parents to focus on the introduction of this subject in secondary schools where students
and staff have access to knowledge in both theory and practice of small business.

4.2. The whole world is experiencing the current situation including our country where lots
of skilled and experienced workers have lost their daily income and facing difficulties to
support their family. There are allot of ways in which we can educate our students who
are the future of this country. No one knows when this deadly virus will be over and
until we have this in any corner of the world we will be affected in one way or another.

4.3. The Ministry of Education has schools all around the country and this is the best way to
spread the knowledge by introducing programs relating to these so that both the students
and teachers are aware and practice this. Fiji’s educational system is geared towards
education and training of students for paid employment but there is no program yet
introduced which focuses on the development of Entrepreneurial and Innovative sector.

4.4. Small business are the solutions to the problems we are facing due to this pandemic.
Unemployment is one of the biggest problem faced by citizens of Fiji mostly affecting
younger generations. We have no control over this as all business are affected in one
way or another. Taking for example the business related to the tourism industry. No
travels, no tourists, no sales and no income. There were many business and families
totally dependent on this and have been badly affected.

4.5. The proposal makes sure that it addresses the problems that we are facing and will
continue to face until these pandemic is over. The problems cannot be just addressed
overnight. We need to start from somewhere and the best option is to start from
education sector through ministry of education programs in schools and universities.
What we have seen these days that many families are involved in barter system to
overcome these problems to some extent. This small business management education
will surely produce skilled and capable generations where SMEs management
knowledge may pass on and will also help for more productivity in the country.

5. Importance / Benefits

5.1. Knowledge management (KM) is a new immerging field in the academic environment.
Many upcoming conferences and seminars at national and International level are on
Knowledge Management. Many International Universities are actively participating in
KM related activities and doing research. It is now becoming popular in Education field
due to need to disclose the intellectual power available in institution for sharing
experiences. It has great potential and should have equal and even greater significance
for education sector. Knowledge builds on knowledge and past events helps in
generating new knowledge. The main source of generation of knowledge is human
efforts which are developed through conducting good educational activities, research
activities and generating innovative concepts in the area of interest.
 5.2. Produce a skilled and knowledgeable people in SMEs who can be successful in own
business and create job for others as well. When students will have knowledge than they
will be innovative and will focus on starting SME’s. The younger generation will gain
confidence for future employment and income generation to support their families.

5.3. Knowledge Management (KM) in educational institution makes good sense and a good
combination of intellectual output of the academic organization if preserved well using
technology. The KM efforts could be monitored by the ministry in all schools and
disclose it along explicit knowledge to the students, but tacit knowledge compilation is
difficult as it is preserved at individual level. But teachers could make better efforts in
making available such kind of knowledge with the support of the ministry of education
using technology to capture tacit knowledge generated in the organization. In this role of
each and every staff and student is very important. It will help to students to pick up
their capabilities, talents, prior knowledge and experience and work on that to enlarge
and adapt this knowledge more effectively and easier to cope up with present
environment. This knowledge base can be useful to students as self-motivator, self-
knowledge manager, team building, innovator and problem solving agent and assist them
to contribute towards successful businesses or SME’s.

5.4. Understand the important benefits of entrepreneurship and SMEs. Encourage learning
throughout people’s career and to achieve a healthy work life balance. Encourage to
have constant right network connections with other professionals for the future
opportunities. Educate entrepreneurship spirit to students that later can raise their interest
in entrepreneurship and improve the quantity and quality of SMEs.

6. Suggestions for the successful proposed requirements

6.1 To run this subject successfully the Ministry of Education needs to see which teachers are
suitable to teach this. Most probably the commerce department teachers will be suitable
as this is about business but English teachers can also be utilized. Choosing suitable
teachers will only fulfil the motive behind this as it will be successfully facilitated to the
students on every little details of the lesson.
6.2 The lessons or subject to be part of every schools under Ministry of Education so that it
reaches to each and every students and teachers so both students and staff have access to
knowledge in both theory and practice of small business.
6.3 The Ministry of Education to take full responsibility and assures that all requirements are
met to introduce the in the school curriculum and all necessary resources are provided to
schools.
6.4 Schools should provide reports thorough head teachers and principal’s to Ministry so that
Ministry is aware of the effectiveness and successful running of the course.
6.5 This subject just like others should be taught free as we have in all schools around Fiji
under Ministry of Education. The goal is to provide participants with the
 knowledge, abilities , and skills required for successful entrepreneurship and
to participate in the innovati on and business ecosystem. This includes the
design of materials for entrepreneurs and other key actors in the
ecosystem, such as angel or risk investors, mentors , and accelerators.
Similarly, it includes the development of professionals with capabilities to
adequately replicate such training at different levels and types of
intervention, and a massive training program ensuring the emergence of
a critical mass.

7. Associated Risks

7.1 Students will not take up this subjects unless Ministry makes it compulsory for them just
like English and Mathematics. This will be the decision of Ministry of Education since
this is equally important for survival and many create a lot of innovation and business
minded students who will in future be part of Fiji’s business sector.
7.2 Some costs will be associated with this as this will be totally new subject and it might
take time for schools to adjust.
7.3 Time management by the teachers and schools is another factor as schools have already
got a planned rooster running from years. The ministry needs to adopt to the proposed
plan so that it is easier for both teachers and students to cope up.

Steps for Proposal

Proposal Prepared for

submission to Ministry of
Education

Ministry of Education
to consider the proposal
and approve

Ministry of Education
Conclusion and Recommendation

The proposal makes sure that it addresses the problems that we are facing and will continue to
face until these pandemic is over. The problems cannot be just addressed overnight. We need to
start from somewhere and the best option is to start from education sector through ministry of
education programs in schools and universities. What we have seen these days that many
families are involved in barter system to overcome these problems to some extent. This small
business management education will surely produce skilled and capable generations where
SMEs management knowledge may pass on and will also help for more productivity in the
country.

Once introduction of this program is successful in schools our students and teachers will both
have access to knowledge in both theory and practice of small business.  The project offers a
sustainable solution to the problem of our educational system only geared towards education and
training of students for paid employment (working in an organization as an employee).  Post-
COVID -19 has exposed this problem where workers lost their jobs and now in need of income
to support their families. 

References

Albulescu, C. (2020). Coronavirus and financial volatility: 40 days of fasting and fear. Published
Mar 9. arXiv preprint arXiv: 2003.04005.

Berglann, H., Moen, E.R., Røed, K. and Skogstrøm, J.F. (2011), “Entrepreneurship: origins and
returns”, Labour Economics, Vol. 18 No. 2, pp. 180-193. [Accessed 3 September 2020]
Bird, B. (1995), “Toward a theory of entrepreneurial competency”, in Katz, J.A. and
Brokhaus, R.H. (Eds), Advances in Entrepreneurship, Firm Emergence and Growth,
Vol. 2, JAI Press, Greenwich, CT, pp. 51-72. [Accessed 5 October 2020]
 
R. Robbins. 2010. Types of entrepreneurs Available at :<<https://lonelyentrepreneur.com/types-
of-entrepreneurs/>> [Accessed 2 October 2020].

Selkowski, Lukasz. (2020). Covid-19 Pandemic, Recession, Virtual Revolution Leading to

Deglobalization?. Journal of Intercultural Management; Vol.12 No.1 pp 1-11.

Teece, D.J. (2010). Business models, business strategy and innovation. Volume 43 page 172-
194:
Elsevier. Long Range Planning