Student named in top 100

Talented 24-year-old Waqas Baggia, from the University of Wolverhampton Business School, is the founder and president of the Student Enterprise Network (SEN), which aims to promote innovation and entrepreneurism in students at Wolverhampton.

Waqas, originally from Toronto, Canada but now living in Wolverhampton, is currently doing a voluntary internship in the University’s Institute for Innovation and Enterprise (IIE). He said: “It is an honour to be among the Future 100 Young Entrepreneurs and look forward to continuing to promote collaborative interdisciplinary innovation and entrepreneurship among students.

“The SEN strongly believes that through entrepreneurism and innovation, we will be able to contribute to the creation of new jobs, products and services to accelerate our way out of a recession.”

Brian Clements, Director of the Institute for Innovation and Enterprise at the University, said: “Waqas is a pleasure to work with. He demonstrates a true entrepreneurial spirit, in that he gets on with what needs to be done, rather than just talking about it. If he can instil this same enterprising ethos in the membership of SEN, we should be in for an exciting year.”

The Future 100 Awards highlight young people aged 18-35 who are demonstrating entrepreneurial flair and innovation in running a responsible business venture; one which demonstrates a balance between economic, environmental and social goals to achieve ultimate business success.

An awards celebration took place in London on November 19 to coincide with Global Entrepreneurship Week.

The Future 100 Awards is organised by Striding Out www.stridingout.co.uk, a social enterprise which is committed to supporting the development and growth of young and ethical entrepreneurs.

For more information about the Student Enterprise Network, visit www.studententerprise.net

Further information

The Future 100 Awards encourage and reward extraordinary vision, ethical business practice and social responsibility. They aim to showcase businesses that offer innovative and sustainable solutions to social problems.

Global Entrepreneurship Week is looking to unleash people's enterprising ideas to tackle some of society's biggest issues such as climate change, poverty, gender equality and health.

For more information please contact Vickie Woodward in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736