Rewarded for the female touch (From This Is Local London)

Rewarded for the female touch

5:00pm Thursday 28th July 2005 in

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A STRATFORD entrepreneur who completed a training course helping people from deprived areas has been honoured for her achievements.

Margaret Ajibode of Clays Lane graduated from the New Entrepreneur Scholarship (NES) scheme and started an IT management company, which focuses on businesses involving women.

Ms Ajibode, whose company is called Obatec, has been selected as a national ambassador for the scheme and will travel to America and visit Babson College in Boston.

She said: "The NES programme has been brilliant and given me the confidence to run my own business by providing me with sound business advice and support.

"I want to use my business to make a difference, to empower and educate women globally using technology."

The scheme, which is run in partnership with the University of East London, has helped train over 350 people from poor backgrounds to set up and run their own businesses.

Twenty scheme graduates were honoured at a special event at the UEL's business school post-graduate centre at Duncan House in Stratford High Street last week.

As part of the course, students attend business start-up training, networking events and courses at the UEL Business School.

They are also allocated a business mentor who supports them for up to 18 months and students can obtain a small grant to help them get their business off the ground.

Robin Little, director of short courses at UEL Business School, said: "These scholars come from an incredibly diverse range of backgrounds, but what they all have in common is hard work and dedication. We wish their new businesses every success."

Recruitment is now taking place for the next programme, which starts in September.

If you have a great business idea and need advice, training and funding to get it started, contact Vijit Singh on 7843 4313 or visit www.nesprogramme.org