Fidelia Senjaya and Abdelrahman Ewis are among five students from the University of Edinburgh to be accepted into CGI U. CGI U is an international year-round leadership development programme, supporting a community of student and alumni leaders and entrepreneurs from around the globe in developing innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Both Fidelia and Abdelrahman received funding from Edinburgh Innovations to help implement their social enterprises, titled Hercens and StepsYard respectively.
Fidelia Senjaya (Hercens)
"Business is best learned by doing, and the Clinton GlobaI Initiative programme (supported by our grant from Edinburgh Innovation) provides an opportunity for business students to actually take their business idea one step forward towards reality. CGI U have 3 curricula that last for several months to help students validate their business idea, and during that time we are matched with a mentor who can introduce us to a great network of industry specialists.
"Edinburgh Innovations supported us by pairing us with a business advisor as well as funding our business idea. Since the second semester, I have been developing a business idea called 'Hercens' with support from both CGI U and Edinburgh Innovation. Hercens aims to solve the world's waste problem and provide a sustainable source of protein through circular farming. The vision of Hercens is to create circular farming by converting organic waste into protein using Black soldier flies (BSF), by using BSF larvae to feed fish, using fish for aquaponics to produce organic plants, then ultimately selling the plant products back to the community.
"I cannot stress enough the value of joining this programme and how it has helped me learn so many things, such as how to pitch to potential investors, beyond the comfort of a classroom. I am very grateful to have access to these valuable resources and networks from CGI U as well as Edinburgh Innovation."
Abdelrahman Ewis (StepsYard)
"The opportunity to apply to the Clinton Global Initiative University during the second semester of my MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation programme has given me access to the ‘commitment to action’ curriculum, the CGI U alumni network, and personalised mentorship opportunities.
"After a lengthy application process I was accepted into this programme, thanks to the unwavering support from Edinburgh Innovations. I'm working with CGI U to get 'StepsYard' up and running in Egypt. It is a platform for blended learning that helps undergraduates learn the essential skills they'll need to succeed in the job market.
"I completed my market research in the first four months of the programme and am currently working to launch my social enterprise by the end of the year. The CGI U is helping me to do so through mentorship sessions and a strict curriculum: CGI U students believe that they are not waiting for an opportunity, but rather creating it. With the help of CGI U and Edinburgh Innovations, this is certainly possible."