WASHZ Abbey Talk: The Cultivation of Entrepreneurial Spirits

The topic of this time's Abbey Talk is how to cultivate the next generation's business leaders in today's cross-cultural environment.

As a successful entrepreneur, Mr Wang places great emphasis on developing his two sons' competitiveness in the global business arena, relocating his entire family from Wenzhou to Hangzhou to ensure his pupils receive the superior education WASHZ provides.

Mr Wang has a strong desire to share when speaking of his two sons. He believes that the strong international atmosphere at WASHZ has solidified his eldest son Kelly's aspiration to study abroad. Currently, Kelly is enrolled at the renowned international school, Collège du Léman, in Switzerland, while his younger son Peter is still studying in the Lower School at WASHZ. Their remarkable success, an example of the quality of education and the nurturing environment at WASHZ, inspires hope for the potential of all our pupils.

Mr Wang believes that knowledge and experience determine a pupil's future, and lifelong learning combined with a craftsman's spirit is the foundation of acquring knowledge and experience.

Mr Wang shared numerous stories of their family's extraordinary experiences around the world.

Kelly was introduced to fishing through the Extracurricular Activity programme at WASHZ, quickly falling in love with the activity. Mr Wang has been deeply supportive of his son's passion, and together they have fished from streams to the sea, from domestic waters to international oceans. They even go night fishing at three o'clock in the morning to seize the best timing.

At Collège du Léman, Kelly started fitness training and quickly became passionate about it. He immersed himself in learning fitness theories and techniques, dedicating time to the gym daily, and saw initial results within just a few months.

Finding a passion while exploring the world, then dedicating oneself to it with precision and diligence—this craftsman spirit is precisely the attitude that Mr Wang, as a father, hopes to instil in his sons.

Mr Wang himself is a role model of lifelong learning. Since starting his entrepreneurial journey, he has never ceased to learn, and with his profound business insights, he successfully gained admission to China Europe International Business School.

Even so, he has even grander ambitions.

"In the future, whichever university my son attends, I plan to apply to the business school of that university as well."

Mr Wang believes in the immense power of leading by example. He thinks that for pupils to achieve more holistic development, parents should accompany them, exploring the world and experiencing growth together. This underscores parents' crucial role in their pupils' education and development, making us all feel more involved and responsible.

Mr Wang also suggests that innovation defines the future. Drawing lessons from history, he points out that each leap in human civilisation has been sparked by major technological advancements, such as navigation technology, the steam engine, and alternating current. To stay at the forefront of the times, lifelong learning and embracing new knowledge are indispensable.

Mr Tig Mooney, Executive Headmaster of WASHZ, listened to the entire discussion. He believes that the entrepreneurial spirit Mr Wang described applies to managing a business and serves as a philosophy for teaching pupils how to conduct themselves.

Mr Mooney mentioned that WASHZ introduced an entrepreneurship course this term and sincerely invited Mr Wang to come to the school to share his insights with the pupils.

Ms Joanne MacCallen, the head of the entrepreneurship course, explained how schools around the world are gradually incorporating financial literacy education into their standard curricula. 

According to a survey report released by the UK House of Lords, all four nations of the UK have introduced financial literacy courses within their respective education systems. However, only around 40% of the surveyed pupils possess basic "financial literacy".

Given that the new generation is growing up in a rapidly changing global business environment, they need to understand the workings of business, develop a proper perception of money and wealth, and establish correct values to better adapt to societal development. 

In this way, Ms MacCallen demonstrated the importance of financial literacy, making us all feel more informed and aware of its significance.

In the entrepreneurship course, pupils begin with basic concepts to enhance their "financial literacy." Many of the specialised terms are often only partially understood even by adults, but through interactive and game-based classes, pupils at WASHZ internalise and remember them effortlessly.

"In class, one girl decided not to purchase a book that was already available in the library because the opportunity cost of buying it was too high, considering, she could use that money for other important expenses."

Ms MacCallen was pleasantly surprised that the pupils could correctly understand the concept of "opportunity cost". She was also heartened to see that these young pupils, who have yet to enter society, are already beginning to apply economic concepts to their life decisions.

Financial literacy and financial education can help pupils adapt to contemporary society ahead of time and lay a foundation for their own lives in Ms MacCallen's views. She believes that everyone is like a product that needs to be managed throughout their life, which aligns perfectly with Mr Wang's attitude of embracing life.

WASHZ also hopes that introducing leading entrepreneurship courses can help pupils develop innovative and critical thinking. Regardless of the career paths they may choose, the focused, eager, and flexible entrepreneurial spirit will deliver the confidence that enables them to face challenges head-on.

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