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Impact Stories

Empowering Women and Driving Change Through Action Learning

In impact stories by Business School Netherlands

Nasera Victoria Elikana, a current International Action Learning MBA student at Business School Netherlands (BSN), recently visited our headquarters in Buren, the Netherlands, for a series of conferences with her fellow students. Hailing from South Sudan, Victoria is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, running the Nesvik Initiative, which she founded in 2018. Her organisation focuses on uplifting and empowering women and girls through sports, entrepreneurship, and agriculture. In this article, we explore her journey, experiences at BSN, and the impact of her MBA on her work and community.

Nasera Victoria and the Nasvick Initiative

Nasera Victoria has dedicated her life to empowering women and girls in her community. Through the Nasvick Initiative, she organises sports events for girls, providing them with a platform to socialise and address their life challenges. For women, she offers internship training programmes that include financial literacy and business management skills. Her initiative has reached over 2000 women and girls, helping them gain skills and confidence to improve their lives.

Q: Hi Nasera Victoria, thank you for joining us. Can you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your work?

Nasera Victoria Elikana: I work with the Nasvick Initiative, an organisation I founded in 2018 to empower women and girls through sports, entrepreneurship, and agriculture. We organise annual sports events for girls and provide internship training for women to help them with financial literacy and business management.

The Decision to Pursue an MBA

Victoria’s journey to pursue an MBA was driven by her desire to bring more value to her community. Coming from a background where education for young girls was not highly valued, her decision to study abroad is a historic milestone. She aims to use the knowledge gained from her MBA to contribute to the development of her country.

Q: What motivated you to pursue an MBA, and why did you choose Business School Netherlands (BSN)?

Nasera Victoria Elikana: Joining BSN was a dream come true. Coming from a community where education for girls is not highly valued, being here is a historical achievement for me. I chose BSN because the Action Learning methodology is practical and hands-on, allowing me to implement what I learn directly in my work.

The Impact of Action Learning

The Action Learning methodology at BSN has been a game-changer for Victoria. Unlike traditional class-based learning, Action Learning is practical and allows students to implement their knowledge immediately. Victoria has already started applying what she has learned in her organisation, enhancing her training programmes and strategies.

Q: How does the Action Learning methodology fit into what you do?

Nasera Victoria Elikana: The Action Learning methodology is the best because it is practical. For example, during the Information Management lecture, I learned that training entrepreneurs should be more about understanding their problems and giving them the skills to address these issues. This approach is more effective than just bombarding them with information.

Networking and Collaboration

Victoria’s visit to the Netherlands also provided her with the opportunity to meet and interact with her fellow students. This face-to-face interaction has significantly expanded her social network and opened up opportunities for future collaborations.

Q: How has meeting your classmates in person benefited you?

Nasera Victoria Elikana: Meeting my classmates in person has been an amazing opportunity to widen my social network. We’ve been able to share experiences and brainstorm on how we can work together in the future. This experience is the beginning of more collaborations that will benefit our organisations.

Personal Growth and Future Plans

Victoria’s time at BSN has not only enhanced her professional skills but also contributed to her personal growth. She has gained a broader perspective on global issues and learned valuable lessons about collaboration and strategic thinking.

Q: What key insights have you gained that you plan to implement in your work?

Nasera Victoria Elikana: One key insight is the importance of collaboration. In Africa, starting a business can be challenging without resources. Collaborating with others who have complementary skills and resources can make a significant difference. This approach will help us achieve better results and make a bigger impact.

Nasera Victoria’s journey with BSN demonstrates the transformative power of Action Learning. By integrating practical learning with real-world applications, she is driving significant change in her community. Her experiences highlight the importance of education, collaboration, and practical skills in addressing complex challenges. We look forward to seeing how she keeps empowering women!

Business School Netherlands

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