Applications for the Blue Nile Program are open until Friday 6 August 2021.
The Blue Nile African Australian Business Masterclass Program is a heavily subsidised program designed for African Australian entrepreneurs, not-for-profit and corporate leaders.
The program has been developed by the University of Melbourne in collaboration with the African Australian community to respond to the specific challenges faced by African Australian entrepreneurs in the Australian business landscape.
Participants engage with entrepreneurs, world-class staff executives, managers and community leaders, who will share tools for growing businesses and developing economic opportunities for the community at large.
In addition to delivering world-class business knowledge, the Blue Nile Program also seeks to build participants’ business networks through a mentoring program. Mentors will continue to provide support to participants following the completion of the program.
The program is hosted by the Melbourne Social Equity Institute and supported by the Victorian Government's Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
Applications for the Blue Nile Program are open until Friday 6 August 2021.
The program will be delivered over 6 x 2-day modules, with each subject area covered in two days.
These sessions have been designed to strengthen the capacity of participants in the following areas:
- Business Strategy: Formulate effective growth-oriented business strategies
- Accounting and Finance: Develop sound financial management tools for your enterprises
- Marketing: Craft unique market value propositions
- Leadership and Social Impact: Develop your leadership skills and empower your community
- Managing People: Develop and lead effective workforces
- Australian Business Culture: Effectively negotiate deals and manage business relations in the Australian business context
In addition to delivering world-class business knowledge, the Blue Nile Program also seeks to build participants’ business networks through a mentoring program supported by the Australia Africa Chamber of Commerce.
Mentors will continue to provide support to participants following the completion of the program.
Program Dates 2021
Friday 3 and Saturday 4 September
Friday 17 and Saturday 18 September
Friday 8 and Saturday 9 October
Friday 22 and Saturday 23 October
Friday 12 and Saturday 13 November
Friday 26 and Saturday 27 November
Location: The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne
The 2021 program will take place between September and November 2021 at the University of Melbourne, Parkville.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am interested. But do I qualify to apply?
If you’re an entrepreneur of African background, running or managing your own business, social enterprise or community organisation and want to grow your organisation in Australia, then this program is perfect for you.
I am interested but I do not own or manage my own business yet. Can I still apply?
Yes. You can still apply if you have a clear business idea but don’t know where or how to begin, and/or if you have managed your own business in the past 5 years and are looking to start another business.
When do applications open?
Applications opened on Thursday 1 July 2021.
What do I need to apply?
You just need to fill the application form and attach your most recent CV.
When do applications close?
Applications will close on Friday 6 August 2021.
Will there be a selection process?
Yes. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview; successful applicants from the interviews will be admitted to the program. Interviews will begin in mid-August 2021.
How much does the program cost?
The actual cost of the program for a person is $3000 but the Victorian Government and University of Melbourne have heavily subsidised much of this cost. You only need to pay $500 for the entire program.
Haileluel Gebre-selassie, Community Program Director
Haileluel Gebre-selassie holds a Master of Public Policy and Management from the University of Melbourne and a Master of International Social Work from La Trobe University. He is the Program Manager of the African Leadership Development Program. He is a Winston Churchill Fellow and current Chair of the African Think Tank. He is also Chair of the African Communities Task Force established by Victoria Police and a recipient of the Member of the Order of Australia and Melbourne Award.
Ben Neville, Academic Program Director
Associate Professor Ben Neville researches and teaches in the area of sustainable business in the Faculty of Business & Economics at the University of Melbourne. He is the Coordinator of Leadership for Social Impact at the Centre of Workplace Leadership.
Samuelson Appau, Program Coordinator
Dr Samuelson Appau has a background in marketing and market research and holds a PhD in Marketing from the University of Melbourne. He is currently a Lecturer in Marketing at RMIT University. Samuelson also consults for start-ups and entrepreneurs on how to build and sustain strong brands.
Precious Rametsana, Community Researcher
Precious Rametsana is a recent Master of Management graduate of the Melbourne Business School and currently researches and teaches within the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Melbourne. Precious is also a current committee member of the Incubate Foundation and a former board member of the Africa Australia Chamber of Commerce.
Blue Nile Program Participants 2020
Matthew Kwame Adekponya
Content Creator and Media Specialist
Taidanyasha Mabel Chigogora
Behavioural Therapist and Entrepreneur
Dawit Fesseha
Director, Yanga Coffee
Lorna Deng
Co-founder of DivTal
Angelina Dampson
Founder, Angie’s Kitchen
Abdillatif Fiqi
Managing Director, Gratitude In-Home Care
Ruth Karupeni
Owner and Managing Director, Ebenezer Group
Selba Gondoza Luka
Co-founder, Afri-Aus Care
Guido Melo
Founder, Melko
Sylvain Momo
Founder and Managing Director, SeniorsAlarm
Mina Mosaad
Founder, Glory Architecture
Nyarai Ndhlala
Founder, Sela Care
Eva Sarr
Founder, Centre for Multicultural Program Evaluation
Clyde Sharady
Founder and CEO, Africa Media Australia
Managing Director, iMove Solutions
Zara Hassan
Founder, Trefem Agency
Co-founder, African Female Founders Network
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the Blue Nile African Australian Business Masterclass Program please contact:
Dr Samuelson Appau
blue-nile@unimelb.edu.au
socialequity.unimelb.edu.au
+61 406 816 081
Applications for the 2021 program close on Friday 6 August.