UWC Small Business Clinic Establishes Permanent Home for Operations
The business of turning theory into practice is now a reality at the University of the Western Cape as the Small Business Clinic gets ready to open its doors.
The faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) will ensure that the Small Business Clinic benefits both students and entrepreneurs who use their services.
EMS Dean Professor Michelle Esau said: “The kinds of things that would happen in this physical space are things that would revolve around support to both our students and small business owners. This is within the context of, first and foremost, instilling a mindset of entrepreneurship within the minds and the hearts of our students. In doing so, through the engagement with small business owners and other relevant stakeholders within the small business sector.”
From business proposals to tax advice, the Small Business Clinic is based at the Innovation Hub at 405 Voortrekker Rd, Oostersee.
The walk-in centre is envisioned to be a valuable resource to business owners as well as a practical way for EMS academic staff and students to learn and teach.
Co-ordinator of the Small Business Clinic Lisle Svenson said it is a space where EMS students will practically engage with the community, in particular small business owners and micro entrepreneurs. “But apart from the students and small businesses within the local community, there are also the academics who students normally engage with in class as lecturers, but in this forum of the small business clinic, it’s an experiential learning hub. So it’s a space where people can get together and learn from each other, whether you’re a student, a small business owner, an academic, or even other partners such as government agencies,” said Svenson.
“Theory is not thrown out of the window. This is a chance to make businesses more accessible for our students so they can develop skills. And that ultimately will reduce our unemployment level and increase the skill levels of our graduates, and while they are studying they are developing practical skills, which means that hopefully they will be more confident in the job market”.