Dr Niyan Fraser – Ready to share his knowledge with the world

Dr Niyan Fraser, a business and entrepreneurship researcher and academic is ready to share his knowledge with the world, starting with his own country, St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

He returned to SVG 11 months ago after pursuing studies in Sweden, Tasmania (Australia) and Indonesia and travelling and studying extensively across Europe.

Dr Fraser has an extensive educational background. His formal schooling started at the Kingstown Preparatory School (KPS). He moved to the St Vincent Grammar School (SVGS), where he gained nine Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) passes, after which he moved to the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC), where he gained four A Levels.

After leaving the SVGCC, Fraser was accepted at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill, Barbados, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology. After UWI, he pursued a Master of Science degree in Business Administration (with a specialization in Entrepreneurship and Management) at the Jönköping International Business School (JIBS) in Sweden. He also did a semester at Universitas Gadjah Mada in Indonesia and later earned a Graduate Certificate in Research from the University of Tasmania in Australia.

He now holds a PhD in Management and Commerce (specializing in Entrepreneurship Education) from the University of Tasmania.

Dr Fraser’s research looked at how tertiary level academic institutions educate students about entrepreneurship, “so kind of like in the science and technology field, how entrepreneurship is being integrated in that curriculum,” explained Fraser.

He said completing his PhD was a test, but it was worth it, as he learnt a lot that can now be put to use.

“It was hard in terms of, you are constantly doing work, so your brain never shuts downs and you miss out on a lot of things as well. I missed my niece and nephew’s birth, I missed birthdays, I missed weddings…but at the same time, I learnt a lot and met great people from all over the world. I have changed my thoughts, the way I act, and everything, based on the exposure, so I appreciate it,” said Fraser.

He encourages persons to always chase their dreams and work hard if they want to achieve goals.

“If you want to do it, work hard; don’t be limited, be open to all different experiences that come along and if you are determined to do it, you can find a way to do it,” he advises.

The 36-year-old said that his academic journey took him to places with diverse cultures and practices, but he picked those schools because he wanted to go somewhere different and visit countries that he had never visited in his quest to grow.

“By going to school in Sweden, I met people from Romania, Hungary, USA, Canada,” explained Fraser, who noted that Indonesia was a wonderful experience with its difference in food, people and culture.

“People loved me there (Indonesia), being the only black guy. Little kids would stare at me, but everybody else wanted to know who I was and know more about me. I would encourage other persons.”

He added, “It was great, but you have to be willing to be outside of your comfort zone; because you are going to experience something different, you have to be adventurous.”

Apart from studying, Fraser, who speaks Spanish, also gained valuable work experience while learning. He tutored marketing research at the University of Tasmania and taught English at the Intercultura Language School in Costa Rica, among other jobs, including volunteer work in business development. He has also worked in SVG.

But although well qualified, Fraser had to do menial labour, including washing dishes in Sweden, to earn money.

“Washing dishes in Sweden, I earned money to go travelling. I have done little things that made me appreciate certain things more,” said Fraser, who is now willing to give back to his country.

He told SEARCHLIGHT on Monday that now he has finished his schooling, he is figuring out his next move and is hoping that he can assist here.

“Now that I’m finished, I can do anything. I can teach, I can work in the industry, I can do more research…so, I am seeing what opportunities are available,” said Fraser, noting that entrepreneurship is very important.

He said that he would love to see more entrepreneurship education in schools here, as entrepreneurship can assist in a country’s development.

“Based on my research, entrepreneurship education is an important element, because it helps to develop people with entrepreneurial capabilities and an entrepreneurial mindset and that in turn can really develop the overall economy.”

The entrepreneur expert said locally, it is noticeable that an important part of business, customer service, is lacking and that is something that should be addressed.

“Sometimes, you go into stores here and feel like, these people can’t be bothered with you,” said Fraser, who noted that a simple hello or smile is important.

“Even if you are having a bad day, you have to fake it. Customer service is part of marketing, as is word of mouth and if you have a bad customer service experience and somebody tells somebody else, word of mouth is the strongest thing.”

He noted also that in business, it is important to have the operators of successful businesses involved in mentoring, as there are people who have a lot to share.

Fraser has also written extensively on entrepreneurship. The first article from his PhD research is entitled “The Creation of Entrepreneurial Engineers: A Re-evaluation of the Standish-Kuon and Rice (2002) Typology and the Emergence of the Entrepreneurial Engineering Education (EEE) Typology”. He has also written on “Entrepreneurship capabilities in agriculture” (Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship).

Dr Fraser is the son of Dr Adrian Fraser and Muriel Fraser of Cane Garden.(LC)