Asian Family Businesses (FB) are the backbone of the Asian economy, however the specific characteristics of family businesses which can affect their longevity and their competitiveness remain unexplored. More efforts should be directed towards studying the contribution of family businesses to establish the proper institutional frameworks to support their longevity. In this context the project aims to create a new Master’s programme in the specialized academic area of FB Management in total 16 HEIs of Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, that is as much absent from HEI programmes in the Partner Countries (PC) involved as it is needed. The FAB curriculum will incorporate novel entrepreneurial theories, business models and innovative management tools fostering new family entrepreneurs, but also promoting entrepreneurial behaviour (including innovation) in existing family firms.Beyond coursework, the program will be structured around:- industry placement, in family businesses;- ‘FB Centers of Excellence’ in PC HEIs that will act as foci for research and innovation in the area;- country-specific VET online courses (MOOCs), introducing PC HEIs in the MOOC era;- digital learning, to allow modern forms of learning, as well as to enable contribution from experts across the globe in the development of the program;- promote cooperation, exchange of know-how and good practices in the subject area between EU and PC HEIs;-establish viable synergies and links with family businesses in order to address their needs in specialized personnel and enhance the employability of FAB graduates;-contribute to local economic growth, by providing to program participants the right knowledge/skills/tools to turn the local family-business sector into a driver of social and economic growth;-promote dialogue between the academic sector, family businesses and policy/decision makers in PC and help convey the concerns faced by FB into policy consultation processes.
1. Develop specialized curricula and Master program in Family Business Management and design MOOCs for formal and informal learning2. Establish synergies with the regional family business sector to address skills and training needs, improving graduate employability3. Train PC HEI staff via EU study visits, workshops, and a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)4. Create ‘Family Business Centers of Excellence’ to drive research, innovation, and policy dialogue, ensuring sustained regional impact
FAB project originated from the need to modernize entrepreneurial education by developing family business management curricula, which is vital for economies yet often overlooked. As the world shifts toward digitalization, and PC partners still lack awareness of online courses, EU HEIs initiated and contributed to design MOOCs. The project addresses academic gaps, fosters innovation, and supports economic growth through specialized education for PC HEIs.
<< Background >> FAB project originated from the need to modernize entrepreneurial education by developing family business management curricula, which is vital for economies yet often overlooked. As the world shifts toward digitalization, and PC partners still lack awareness of online courses, EU HEIs initiated and contributed to design MOOCs. The project addresses academic gaps, fosters innovation, and supports economic growth through specialized education for PC HEIs. << Objectives >> 1. Develop specialized curricula and Master program in Family Business Management and design MOOCs for formal and informal learning2. Establish synergies with the regional family business sector to address skills and training needs, improving graduate employability3. Train PC HEI staff via EU study visits, workshops, and a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)4. Create ‘Family Business Centers of Excellence’ to drive research, innovation, and policy dialogue, ensuring sustained regional impact << Implementation >> Through physical and virtual activities, FAB partners performed academic and market needs analysis; designed, developed, accredited and offered a new Master Program and VET courses; study visits and training workshops built the capacity of 16 Asian partners; coordination of 22 culturally diverse partners enhanced multinational leadership; a final conference in Cambodia disseminated project results; and the strong presence of family businesses in project activities secured its sustainability. << Results >> 12 FAB Master Programs were accredited, 11 have been offered in KH, MY, PH, BD, and NP with 266 students enrolled, 6 VET courses have been offered through VLE with total enrolments of 658, while 15 FAB Centers were established with the total industry involvement of 3,220. Total of 105 staff and 140 staff of Asian partners were trained at the training workshops and study visits respectively, while final conference and info days involved 131 participants and 1,614 participants respectively.