Launch of Monash-Ben Gurion Student Entrepreneurship Program
Monash and BGU students with Program Mentors.
Monash and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (Israel) recently launched the Monash-Ben Gurion Student Entrepreneurship Program, which ran from 23 February to 3 March 2015.
Four students from the Bengis Center for Entrepreneurship and Hi-Tech Management at BGU visited Monash to collaborate with four Monash students on conceptualizing a joint business venture. Three of the Monash students are from the MBA program and the fourth is a PhD student within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
The program integrates theoretical knowledge with practical business activities and will see two teams work collaboratively online for the next few months. The program will culminate in July where the Monash students will visit BGU in Israel.
Assisting the students throughout the duration of the course are two mentors, one from each country. Professor Michael Vitale, from the Faculty of Information Technology at Monash, and Mr. Yossi Shavit from the Department of Business Administration at Ben-Gurion University. The two will provide guidance in all stages of the projects, from examining viable ventures, to developing them.
Professor Abid Khan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Global Engagement) from Monash said it was a fantastic development to partner with such a well-respected institution.
“This represents the fruition of a recent collaboration with Ben Gurion University, one of Israel’s most dynamic universities,” Professor Khan said.
“An international outlook and entrepreneurial spirit are fundamental parts of Monash’s DNA and this cross-border, cross-disciplinary initiative represents an innovative example of the joint applications of these approaches. The program has been made possible through the support of the Pratt Foundation.”
This program is a joint initiative of the Faculty of IT, Faculty of Business & Economics (Monash Business School - MBA Program) and the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Global Engagement), and is just one of the collaborations with BGU. Other on-going projects between Monash and BGU are in the areas of water bio-filtration, arid ecology, algal biotechnology and treatments methods for ante/post natal depression.