Entrepreneur Business Institute Opens on UVI’s St. Thomas Campus

Students representing the majority of the Territory’s high schools gathered on UVI’s St. Thomas Campus for the opening of the 2014 Entrepreneur Business Institute.

The 2014 edition of the Entrepreneur Business Institute (EBI) summer program at the University of the Virgin Islands opened on Sunday, June 22, on the St. Thomas Campus. Some 30 students representing the majority of the territory’s high schools are participating in the an intensive, three-week program designed to help them develop entrepreneurial, leadership and business skills, while providing an insight into the college experience and campus life. They will also work with mentors, including successful entrepreneurs and business leaders in the community, and gain the experience of starting with an idea and developing it into a business plan.

The program, which has students living on campus, runs on the St. Thomas Campus from June 22 through July 11. It is sponsored by International Capital & Management Company (ICMC), a management services company based in St. Thomas, in collaboration with the University of the Virgin Islands School of Business.

    Orville Smith                                                   Joshua Murray                                         Marisha Butcher

Several graduates of the 2013 EBI program spoke to this year’s incoming students about their experiences with the program. The students, from left, Orville Smith from the Tutu Church of God Academy, Joshua Murray from St. Croix’ Central High School, and Marisha Butcher from St. Croix’ Education Complex, described their various successes in  business efforts they initiated based on what they learned during the program. Program Director Dr. Paul Fleming, an assistant professor of Business Management at UVI, said the students who returned to share their experiences represent the program well.

Student pose for a group photo on the steps of UVI's Paiewonsky Library.