Category Archives: Innovation

Implementing Digital Innovation Hub in Africa

I want to create an impact. One of my first strategy to do so is to create a small business or to join an extensive network of innovation expert in the Netherlands. However, during my studies, I realized that I could contribute more to creating solutions to foster innovation in Africa, for instance, in Nigeria (my birthplace) and lecturers at my business school saw potential in the idea. The emerging countries in Africa have the potential as well because there are different innovation that could be implemented across various industries which are not in place. Economic experts from West Africa mentioned that implementing innovation solution might not succeed in Africa because there is a lack of infrastructure, less access to the internet and electricity.

Beginning of my Journey

End of March, I created an Innovation Consulting platform and one of the added value is to create a digital innovation hub for Africans https://www.consultingauthentic.com/. I created this consulting agency during the COVID-crisis which is mainly through a digital hub. Hence, a COVID is the main driver of this creation.
In addition to creating an innovation platform, to validate whether there is a market for that solution I set up a social media channel Facebook and created a tiny banner showing what innovation is about for people to like my page. Within five days, I had 397 likes on Facebook, and the majority of the users were African followers.

There were some interaction with my page and a high volume of clicks about 2,685. There are still more campaigns to carry out, including tools and content for the hub. I am on the right track!

Follow:

https://www.facebook.com/consultauthentic

https://www.consultingauthentic.com/

https://www.instagram.com/authentify/

How to Live a Sustainable Lifestyle

Taken at Yousuem in Amsterdam: Image displays a choice between plastic & plastic free beach

Power of influences

There is constant news about climate changes which may determine our consumer behaviours. Because consumers are becoming more sustainability-conscious about the brand they engage in and it determines which products/services they use. Social influencers such as Greta Thunberg & Leonardo de Caprio have been a great role model using their media influence to create awareness across Europe and beyond. Although sometimes news shared by influencers can be misleading, at the end of the day, we need to be extremely critical with what we feed our brains #foodforthought.


My lifestyle

As a working student, I also contribute to sustainable discussions. Moreover, because I am conscious of sustainability, it determines my choices and way of life. For instance, I cannot work for a Tobacco company or companies allegedly involved in child labour such as Nespresso, H&M and Primark. I use metal straws instead of plastics, separated trash bins such as plastics, glass and other waste and my deodorant containers are paper or metal-based containing natural ingredients. As of last, I spend money on quality clothing that is affordable but not entirely related to unfair mass production manufacturers. My clothing brands that I am fond of are Scotch & Soda & Gary Warmer.

As a resident in Europe, sustainable embeds in our behaviours. I encourage you to continuously partake in topics without having the feeling that we do not contribute because of every little contribution count.

4 Tips: HBO to WO master in the Netherlands

Picture by Pixabay

Transitioning from HBO to WO master for international/foreign students

As a 1,5 generation immigrant, I find the Dutch Education system complex. It takes a long duration of time to finish high school/university for foreigners due to language, cultural and educational level barriers. Also, once you fall under a professional level rather than an academic degree which is a small university/group compared to the academic universities. It can be challenging to do an academic master for all international/foreign and Dutch native student.  I will share my opinion as a Business Administration graduate.

Language & cultural barriers 

By language barriers meaning that foreigners that do not speak Dutch coming outside of the Netherlands except for Dutch speakers from Canada, Indonesia, Surinam, South Africa and Vlanders. In my experience language and cultural barriers can be learned within three years of education in the Netherlands in high school or college. However, it takes longer for some due to lack of support and clarity in the education style. For someone like me with loads of supportive system from my Dutch family, I can integrate pretty fast.

Difference between HBO & WO 

In the Netherlands, there are two different types of bachelor which are the HBO (professional and practical bachelor) and WO (scientific and theoretical bachelor). Both diplomas can allow students to do an academic master or professional master in the Netherlands and abroad. The most robust entry requirement is the academic master (WO).

The majority of students fall under the HBO level, and ambitious students that want to pursue a WO master are mostly restricted due to the impossible entry requirements. I am an HBO student that has gone through a stringent process of applying for masters and pre-master.

 I have gathered some tips for students struggling to find the right masters.

Pre-master – Master Tips 

#Tip 1: Try to take a gap year to save and explore during those gap year while working.

  • Sometimes it could take less than two years if you have a GMAT score of >550 or had done an academic minor. (Mindful GMAT has the cheapest GMAT preparation course with discounts). Applied science universities such as Zudy, hotel school Rotterdam or Breda Hogescholen offer these academic minor. Based on my research Maastricht University and Twente University accept a GMAT as the only entry requirement to pursue a master.

#Tip 2: Practice hard and get used to GMAT questions immediately

  • To follow a pre-master HBO’ers need to have an average >7,5, which gives you higher perks so work hard during your 2 – 4 years because of the GPA counts from there. It is required by universities such as Utrecht University, University of Amsterdam and Erasmus University. Erasmus university accepts students to the program with a lower GPA an exception is done if one has a GMAT score of >600 or do a pre-master from another public university to gain admission there. Other universities without 7,5 gpa are universities such as Open University, Tilburg University, Radboud University, University of Groningen and Twente University.

#Tip 3: Work very hard during your 2nd & 3rd year to raise keep a GPA of >7,5

  • Don’t choose a university because of its locations, your current job, or duration of study because it would be overwhelming to make a choice. Please make a choice based on what you are passionate about and on study that matches your HBO diploma.

#Tip 4: Follow your passion