So here I am, preparing myself for my first ever talk at the United Kingdom after having graduated from Imperial College London just about 10 years ago. returning to home soil in Malaysia to build my career & contribute to solve some of her problems. It still feels surreal, but one does not simply miss out on an opportunity to be on a panel with amazing youths all over the world to debate whether social entrepreneurship could be taught at the @HEGoingGlobal!

It’s been a fantastic journey throughout, even a surprise to myself, that I would be here doing what I do. Basically, my current portfolio are the following: I’m a social entrepreneur at EYE Project, a digital marketer at SocialGrooves.com, the digital manager to Dato’ Lee Chong Wei, a founding Global Shaper at the Global Shapers Community Kuala Lumpur Hub but most importantly, a Malaysian building his own version of a #betterMalaysia. And I remember all I ever wanted to do was make a difference to people’s lives.

And now, to be part of a global event organized by the British Council, is one way I can thank everyone who ever supported me to be where I am today. Thank you, my family, friends, partners, associates, social media followers and all. You guys made me happen :’)

Teaching Social Enterprise? Young Social Entrepreneurs Debate

So yeah, this Going Global Panel Session will be happening on the 1st June at Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London, in less than 2 weeks! Here’s where I need your help: what do YOU think about this topic? Can we create social entrepreneurs, or is it something we have to personally experience first in order to “make the leap” headstrong into social entrepreneurship?

In other words, even if there were such thing as a course on social entrepreneurship, how should it be done? Do share your answers, as it will be a good piece of material for discussion during the event.

Now here’s more about the panel: it will be taking place at the Going Global, a forum for education world leaders to debate international higher and further education issues and challenges, and to discuss collaborative solutions.  The key theme for the event is “Connecting Cultures, Forging Futures”, the idea that the fusion of diverse cultures generates a creative force, which is a major catalyst of leading edge innovation. Investment in the connection of these cultures produces a tangible return and measurable impact for the future.

The session will be chaired by Vonnie Sandlen, Women’s Officer and President Elect for 2015/16 of NUS Scotland

Follow her at @NUS_Vonnie, and her organisation at @nusScotland

Regina Agyare, Chief Executive Officer, Soronko Solutions, Ghana
http://www.soronkosolutions.com/
Follow her at @ragyare, and her organisation at @SoronkoF

Regina is a software developer and social entrepreneur with a passion for using technology to bring social change. Regina is an Ashoka Fellow, an Aspen Institute of New Voices Fellow, a GOOD fellow, a Global Shaper of the Accra hub of the World Economic Forum, Vital Voices Fellow, finalist for the African Digital Woman of the Year and a Change Leader with Tigo Reach For Change. Ashesi is a private, non-profit liberal arts university located in Ghana, with a msion to educate a new generation of ethical, entrepreneurial leaders in Africa; to cultivate among its students critical thinking skills, concern for others and the courage to transform a continent. Her university education included economics, leadership, and entrepreneurship. She started working in the corporate sector. While she was initially unaware of social entrepreneurship, she was interested in solving social problems. She approached her lecturers, and was encouraged to apply her learnings to tackle social problems, and link up with alumni. Her university education helped her as a social entrepreneur with problem solving, business and computer science skills, access to advice and encouragement, and linking her into a network. She also learnt the need for a sustainable business, not reliant on funds. She reflects that had the focus of her education been social entrepreneurship, she would perhaps have started her social enterprise sooner.

Ayu Chuepa, Founder, Akha Ama Coffee, Thailand
http://www.akhaama.com/
Follow the organisation at @Akhaamacoffee

Ayu (Lee) was born and grew up in a remote village. Encouraged by his parents, he was the first from his village to study at university. He wanted to provide opportunities to others. He reflects that traditionally education in Thailand teaches students to compete for jobs in industry, government or hospitality, be motivated by money, and move to the city, rather than encouraging them to return and contribute to communities they may come from. Ayu’s education has played an important role for him in overcome barriers that he may otherwise have faced. His university education gave him credibility and enabled communication across linguistic, educational, professional and geographical boundaries, important for sharing experiences of coffee farmers and promoting his social enterprise. Ayu sees higher education as providing relevant skills and knowledge applicable to needs assessments, understanding problems faced by the community, and developing a business plan. However, he asks, how can knowledge from university be brought back and applied to the community, e.g. to solve social problems. How can students be enabled to choose options that involve helping communities, rather than just focusing on making money or studying for itself?

Christopher Tock, Co-founder and Executive Director, Empowering Youth Endeavours, Malaysia
http://www.eyeproject.my/
Follow him at @spinzer, and his organisation at @eyeprojectMY

Christopher is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment. He is a Global Shaper of the Kuala Lumpar hub of the World Economic Forum. He sees life experience, rather than university education, as important in the journey of a social entrepreneur. While he advocates that social entrepreneurship cannot be taught, he sees exposure to social enterprise as necessary in order for those who take up social enterprise to get the support they need, especially from peers. He sees four main factors as influencing a young person’s decision to approach social entrepreneurship as a career decision: 1) how supportive universities are to the idea of SE, 2) the level of activity from student-based NGOs such as ENACTUS, 3) access (or distraction) to too many opportunities and 4) most importantly their respective family background. From his own experience of higher education, rather than the specific education he received, he found that being away from his own environment, being involved with student organisations, and being encouraged and supported by peers, educators, and family, assisted him on his journey as a social entrepreneur.

Joshua Bicknell, Co-founder of Balloon Ventures, UK
http://www.balloonventures.com/
Follow him at @rightkurfuffle, and his organisation at @balloonkenya

Joshua found that there was no clear route into social entrepreneurship. While Joshua did not study entrepreneurship or social entrepreneurship, his university studies in History and Politics equipped him with skills in writing, developing a coherent argument, telling a good story, researching and public speaking that he uses daily as a social entrepreneur. He “stumbled” into running a social enterprise, although his idea from research he did for his Masters dissertation. He did not initially know what social enterprise was, and would have liked more exposure to social enterprise and business, with it being presented as a viable career path. He sees a big responsibility/opportunity for universities to open the minds of young people and show them all the possibilities in the world. He reflects that in today’s climate, where there is competition and uncertainty, entrepreneurship skills – social or otherwise – are essential, and should be included in university education.

Join the conversation by clickong on #GoingGlobal2015 #socent or follow these accounts, including my own for live updates! @SocEntGlobal @HEGoingGlobal

The post #GoingGlobal2015: Can you teach social enterprise in existing education systems? appeared first on Spinzer - Blogger, Entrepreneur, Celebrity Manager.

Yummy!

With any party, we needed to get through the formality first, so first we had Bruce Dallas, Marketing Director of Guinness Anchor Berhad giving us a speech: “Arthur’s Day celebrates the founder of GUINNESS®, Arthur Guinness, and his remarkable legacy of goodness through music. This year, we pay homage to his bold character and people like him, those who are ‘more’ than just ordinary; much like the Artists that will be rocking the Arthur’s Day stage, our Arthur Guinness Fund recipients and our GUINNESS® drinkers, who choose a GUINNESS® every time.”

Bruce Dallas, Marketing Director of Guinness Anchor Berhad and Hans Essaadi, Managing Director of Guinness Anchor Berhad launching the celebrations with our resident Guinness Girl & host, Serena C.

The main aim of the party was to reveal the 3 exciting International acts due to perform at Sepang International Circuit, Welcome Centre. I’m actually pleasantly surprised that they have stayed away from the Urban and Hip Hop direction and brought us some proper Rock music and some Dance Pop (I’ll give them that since one of the songs of this band I actually really like)

So let’s play a “Guess the Song”.

I’m more than a bird,
I’m more than a plane
I’m more than some pretty face beside a train
It’s not easy to be me

Easy right? This is Superman

(It’s not easy), written and performed by American singer-songwriter John Ondrasik, but better known by his stage name Five for Fighting.

Five for Fighting

Did you know that he has a degree in Applied Science and Mathematics? Anyway, here is what he has to say about the upcoming concert:

“I am very excited to be a part of the Arthur’s Day celebrations in Malaysia! Join me and millions around the world as we toast to one of the boldest man in history, Arthur Guinness and to those like him, the Arthur Guinness fund awardees, my comrades that will be rocking the Arthur’s Day stage this year and all of you fans out there! To Arthur!“

Alright, second act is a little alternative and a little punk, but maybe you know this song?

I wake up every evening
With a big smile on my face
And it never feels out of place
And you’re still probably working
At a nine to five pace
I wonder how bad that tastes…

No? Then how about….

“I wanna I wanna I wanna touch you, you wanna touch me too!”

First song was their first international hit: “Gives You Hell” and second song was “I Wanna” from the same album. Let me present The All American Rejects, formed in Oklahama in 1999 with lead vocalist and bass guitarist and pianist Tyson Ritter, lead guitarist and backing vocalist Nick Wheeler, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Mike Kennerty, and drummer and percussionist Chris Gaylor.

All American Rejects

“Arthur’s Day is going to be one hell of ride and we have an exciting gig prepared especially for you, our Malaysian fans. We really appreciate the Arthur’s Day message on social entrepreneurship and how the Arthur Guinness fund has made an impact on thousands of people around the world. We are glad to be part of the celebrations this year in tribute to his unbelievable legacy.”

Last but not least, here’s a song I like:

How about the boys who brought you hits like “Glad You

Came”?

Anyway, here’s what they have to say: “We’re excited to be part of the Malaysian celebrations happening at Sepang International Circuit on the 27th of September 2013! We’re ready along with our comrades Five for Fighting and All American Rejects to rock the Arthur’s day stage this year as we pay tribute to Arthur Guinness and his legacy of goodness. To Arthur!“

Daniel from Wanted Symphony (key), Sam (guitar) and Ivan (guitar) from Busco, Caleb (drums) from Caravel

In honor of Arthur Guinness and those like him, Guinness paid tribute to our local heroes, our AGF Awardees at the Arthur’s Day launch party, in line with the theme of this year’s celebration “Celebrating Those Who Make Bolder Choices”:

1. Sabina Arokiam from Eats, Shoots, Roots (AGF Awardee)
2. Christopher Tock from EYE Project Management (AGF Awardee) – yours truly *bows*
3. Rashvin Pal Singh from Biji Biji Initiative (AGF Awardee)
4. Chew Lee-Min, Team Guinness Malaysia
5. Thompson Chuah, Team Guinness Malaysia
6. Julie Kuan, Team Guinness Malaysia
7. Dato Saw Choo Boon, Chairman of the
Board of Directors at Guinness Anchor Berhad
8. Hans Essaadi, Managing Director of Guinness Anchor Berhad
9. Bruce Dallas, Marketing Director of Guinness Anchor Berhad
10. Lim Ju Lee, Team Guinness Malaysia
11. Fiona Huang, Team Guinness Malaysia; and
12. Jazz Tan from Penang Youth Club (AGF Awardee)

To Arthur!

Month Long Parties and Promotions To Arthur!

As do every year, there will be weekly GUINNESS® arTHURSDAY Parties, starting from 29 August 2013 at selected outlets nationwide in the lead up to the main Arthur’s Day concert scheduled to take place in September. The parties will feature special activities and promotions on your favourite black brew along with exclusive limited edition Arthur’s Day merchandise up for grabs.

For all GUINNESS® collectors out there, buy 1 bucket of GUINNESS® Foreign Extra Stout or 4 full pints or 6 half pints of GUINNESS® Draught and get your hands on the exclusive GUINNESS® Arthur’s Day Earphones. Promotions begin on 1st September 2013 and you can get it at your favorite neighborhood bar!

Also, throughout the month long celebrations, other promotions at your local coffee shops and restaurants include the Limited Edition GUINNESS® Power Bank, when you collect all 12 liners bottle caps of the GUINNESS® Quart Bottles. Not forgetting the GUINNESS® Arthur’s Day Fridge Magnet Bottle Opener, when you purchase a 6-can pack of Guinness Stout at participating supermarket and hypermarkets.

So you know where you should be next Thursday right? Stay logged on to www.facebook.com/guinnessmalaysia to find out more on an arTHURSDAY party happening near you or visit www.arthursday.com.my to get your hands on Arthur’s Day tickets!

The Arthur’s Day 2013 concert is organized in partnership with Six Fingers Events Management, while E! News Asia and AMP Networks join as official TV and Radio partners.

The post Arthur’s Day™ 2013 Launch Party and EYE Project will be there! appeared first on Spinzer - Blogger, Entrepreneur, Celebrity Manager.