NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 7 – Following in the shadows of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appeal to African nations to economically empower women the United States International University (USIU) has launched a program aimed at sharpening entrepreneurs lacking business skills.
The 10,000 Women Program aims to empower women entrepreneurs by giving them a business and management education and improving the quality and capacity of business and management education around the world.
Speaking during the launch, Assistant Minister for Industrialisation Nderitu Muriithi commended the initiative which he said complements the work being done by the government.
“Kenya’s Vision 2030 will be realised if such initiatives can be supported through working in partnerships and the government is committed to creating an enabling environment to Small and Medium Enterprises,” he said.
Mr Muriithi also called on other institutions to take up the challenge arguing it would hasten the realisation of Kenyans economic blue print.
USIU Vice Chancellor Professor Freida Brown said the 10,000 Women Program is geared towards acknowledging the important role women play in business.
“It will help reduce inequality and ensure women access opportunities for shared economic growth,” she said.
She further called on aspiring women entrepreneurs to take up such opportunities, to enhance their management skills.
Prof Brown also affirmed USIU’s commitment to delivering quality training programmes tailored to the needs of Kenya and the region.
During the launch thirty women entrepreneurs were awarded full scholarships under the 10,000 Women Program. The scholarships will enable the business women attend courses as well as a one year graduation follow up which will include business advisory services, follow-up clinics and mentoring.
The program aims to empower women entrepreneurs lacking in business skills by giving them a business and management education and improving the quality and capacity of business and management education around the world.
The 10,000 Women Program initiative is a global effort to empower 10,000 women in developing and emerging economies across the world over a period of five years divided into 5 modules and is taught over a five month period for a total of 260 hours.
The Course covers important dimensions in developing and managing a successful business and includes; building business enterprises, environment and business alignment, implementing effective business processes, managing business productivity and creating powerful networks.
The training will be carried out in partnerships with universities in the U.S. and Europe such as Harvard Business School, Stanford, Yale, Stanford and Cambridge and business schools in emerging and developing countries.
The mega project is being financed by Goldman Sachs to the tune of USD 100 million.