The IBSUniversity Student Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) continues to bring valuable dialogues that help students connect with industry leaders and gain in-depth knowledge of entrepreneurship. On April 16, 2025, another discussion under the STEP umbrella took place at the university library, with the topic: “BSP’s Initiatives in Empowering Women and Youth Entrepreneurs.”

This session featured Esther Usurup-Harou, Head of People and Culture PNG, Retail & Operations at BSP Financial Group Limited, which brought a fresh perspective on how business leaders can help marginalized groups, especially women and youth, through financial inclusion and entrepreneurship support.

The STEP initiative at IBSUniversity has always been about more than just learning the ‘how’ of starting a business. It is designed to provide students with the knowledge and tools needed to address issues sustainably when venturing into a business. This session was organized by STEP Coordinator Ms. Palakurthi Harika backed by the Head of the School of Business and Management, Dr. Durga Prasad.

One of the key areas discussed was how financial inclusion is providing and creating financial successes and stability within a family or a community. This approach is particularly concentrated on supporting women and youths—two groups that are important to the country’s development but are often faced with setbacks in entrepreneurship and financial stability.

The STEP program at IBSUniversity works to connect and expose our students to industries and organizations, equipping them with the essential skills needed for their growth as future entrepreneurs. Events like this one with BSP continue to show how crucial it is to understand the intersection of ethical leadership, financial inclusion, and community empowerment when building sustainable businesses.

Thanks to the continuous support from organizations like BSP, our students are learning that entrepreneurship extends beyond simply running a business—it’s centered around benefiting society. This session, as part of the STEP program, motivates students to adopt ethical, sustainable, and solution-oriented entrepreneurship practices, creating ventures that combine financial growth and social value.

Marketing Department