On 13 October 2025, Hanbridge Institute welcomed a group of undergraduate students from Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information. The students are currently conducting a research project exploring “Entrepreneurship Beyond Education” — a study aimed at understanding how Singapore’s education system, including Private Education Institutions (PEIs), contributes to shaping entrepreneurial mindsets.The team interviewed Dr. Alan Go, Academic Board Chair of Hanbridge Institute, who shared his insights on Singapore’s entrepreneurial landscape and how education can influence a student’s capacity for innovation, adaptability, and leadership. The discussion covered real-world challenges faced by entrepreneurs and the evolving relationship between education, creativity, and enterprise in today’s global economy.
Exploring the Link Between Education and Enterprise
During the interview, students observed that many entrepreneurs they encountered — including members of their own families — were graduates of private education institutions. This observation prompted a lively discussion about whether private education might play a unique role in nurturing entrepreneurs in Singapore.
Dr. Go reflected, “I don’t know if it’s statistically true, but it’s an interesting question. Public discourse often measures education outcomes through employment and salary data. Yet entrepreneurship may be one area where PEI graduates quietly excel — because success there depends less on conformity and more on initiative, creativity, and resilience.”
He added that Singapore’s entrepreneurial thinking could be more deeply understood if national graduate surveys included questions such as, ‘Are you currently an entrepreneur or building a business?’ Such data, he suggested, would offer a fuller picture of how various education pathways contribute to innovation and enterprise.
Insights from the Conversation
Dr. Go also shared that private education institutions like Hanbridge often create environments where applied learning, flexibility, and exposure to diverse peers foster entrepreneurial thinking. “Entrepreneurship requires more than technical skill. It demands adaptability, confidence amidst uncertainty, and the courage to act without guaranteed outcomes,” he said.
He explained that Hanbridge Institute integrates such values into its curriculum through real-world projects, guest lectures, and industry collaborations, ensuring that students develop both professional competence and the agility to seize new opportunities.
Encouraging a Culture of Inquiry and Reflection
The exchange with NTU students exemplified Hanbridge Institute’s commitment to open dialogue and lifelong learning. By engaging with future communication professionals from one of Singapore’s top universities, the session bridged academic research with real-world educational insights.
“Students’ curiosity and fresh perspectives always remind us to question our own assumptions,” Dr. Go shared after the discussion. “Education should not only transfer knowledge but also nurture the mindset to explore and build.”
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