I found this article very interesting and would like to share it with you all on how well Business studies is going on in Brunei. Not only that, if you follow by their example, you may be the next entrepreneur to hit the 399,000 population market (statistics taken from the UN, 2009). The following article was published by Brunei Times:

BUDDING entrepreneurs at the Business School were told to "tap into unknown opportunities" and try to foresee the type of business they intend to pursue, so they will know what products best suit their customers and gain a desirable reputation in return.

In an interview with Ideal Marketing (B) Sdn Bhd Group Chairman cum Managing Director Hj Ahmad Morshidi Pehin Orang Kaya Di-Gadong Seri Diraja Dato Laila Utama Hj Abd Rahman, on the sidelines of the launching of the the school's "Business Project" yesterday said, "Exposure is the most important thing in business. If students can learn from actual experience here with the support and encouragement of the school, then it will motivate them."

"They (the students) look very enthusiastic, and whatever they have learned and done here, they have to make a lot of improvement, such as envisioning what kind of business they want to be in. And once they did, they will become better because they will know what product is best for the customer, and customers will also know where to obtain the best products from," he said.

Speaking to the students during the launching of the event, Hj Ahmad Morshidi said although the National Diploma Programme is deemed to be a "passport to the business world", it is not sufficient enough for students to be successful businessmen. "You have to go through the hard work and have to learn from experience. Don't forget whatever you learned, you have to make a comparison with (the) actual business you are going to go through," he said.

Sharing words of wisdom as a prominent businessman in the Sultanate, Hj Ahmad Morshidi told students to always remember the "5C's of Instructional Leadership."

"They are Cultivation, Courage, Creativity, Commitment and Communication. To go through this as a businessman, honesty is the best policy. One must remember, you are not the one to judge, the customers are the ones who judge you," he said.

The guest of honour explained to the students that when customers know that quality of services provided are reliable, only then can an entrepreneur receives the continual support for a successful business.

"Once you have this foundation (continual support from customers), you will see that you are better than other colleagues of yours who are under the employment of others," he added.

Business School Principal Hj Abd Ishak Hj Idris said the business project undertaken by students at the school was crucial as students had to pass it at the end of the year.

"This is a one year unit which students have to pass, where they will be assessed," he said.

Apart from the trading of food and merchandises, other activities lined up under the Business Project included a Green Carnival, Wedding and Photography Exhibition, Futsal Tournament, Beach Festival and a Netball Tournament.

"The project is good because the students will apply what they have learned in the classroom, by applying its practicality. These students have to learn from experience by actually carrying out projects like these in reality," he said.

He added, "In the real world, it will be much more intense and challenging. That's why this business project is like a stepping stone for them to understand what is required of them as (young entrepreneurs) in the real world, and I hope that by doing this project, they can learn what real business is all about, and that we can see them as a successful entrepreneur in the future."