Building futures abroad: UBC Sauder’s LIFT program enables students to teach business skills and learn from developing communities

At UBC Sauder School of Business, education extends far beyond the classroom. UBC Sauder’s LIFT program is a shining example of how students can use their business acumen to build a better world. Available to BCom and MBA students, members travel to developing countries, where they lead workshops designed to equip local participants with the skills and tools needed to launch, scale and grow their own businesses and create economic opportunity. 

LIFT represents leadership, innovation, fundamentals and training. This unique program provides students the opportunity to teach business curriculum to aspiring entrepreneurs in Africa. For many students, the LIFT program is more than just a chance to apply their education—it’s a life-changing experience that shapes their global perspective on business. 

Making a global impact outside of the classroom 

UBC Sauder alumni Jonathan Chan’s passion for philanthropy led him to take on a leadership role within the LIFT program, where he mentored participants, taught virtual classes, coached participants on their microcredit pitches to help them secure funding for their budding businesses and played a large role in developing the curriculum for a virtual semester in Ghana. 

“I first heard about the LIFT program from my Comm 101 TA,” Chan recalls. “It seemed like such an amazing experience, and social impact is something I have always had a passion for. I wanted to see how I could use my business education as a force for good.” 

One of the most rewarding experiences for Chan was working with Suzan, an entrepreneur from Kenya who was working towards expanding her milk business in Kariobangi. Chan mentored her from September to December virtually and met her weekly to discuss her business plans and refine her pitch. By late 2023, Suzan was ready to present her microcredit pitch, and her efforts paid off. She impressed the judges and secured the funding she needed to purchase a freezer for her business—a milestone that would significantly enhance her operations. 

In 2024, Chan finally had the chance to travel to Kenya and witness the impact of the program on local businesses firsthand.

“LIFT was a really big part of my undergraduate experience,” Chan reflects. “The impact I was able to experience on the ground was incredible. It was not just about us sharing our businesses knowledge. It was a two-way exchange where we were learning so much from the students as well. From teaching us Swahili and sharing their lived experiences, to dancing and singing our business lessons to us, I'm grateful to the students for being so open to immersing our team in their culture.”

Mentorship opportunities at every turn

Mentorship opportunities are woven into every aspect of the LIFT program for both LIFT participants and for UBC Sauder students, offering a unique experience that goes far beyond the typical classroom setting. Annie Wu, a first-year BCom student, found the guidance from upper-year students and alumni of the LIFT program to be invaluable.

"Being one of the younger members on the team, I really got to observe how they approached situations and taught classes," Wu reflects. "Working closely with more senior students was an experience that you don’t get day-to-day in the classroom and it was neat to form strong bonds and bounce ideas off of fellow UBC Sauder students through the program.”

Inspiring the next generation of business leaders

The LIFT program is not just about teaching business concepts; it's about inspiring the next generation of philanthropic business leaders who recognize the tangible impact their business education can have. For Wu, she has learned the value her BCom degree holds, especially after witnessing how grateful her students were to learn and how highly they prioritized their learning.

“It’s easy to take for granted how valuable this knowledge really is,” says Wu. I’ve realized that even at 18 years old, I don’t need to be years into my career and making a ton of money to enact change. I’m still able to make a significant and sustainable impact with my knowledge by empowering students to go and start their own business ventures on their own.”

As the program continues to grow, Professor Jeff Kroeker, who has been involved with the program for over fourteen years, takes pride in its evolution and the achievements of his students. Kroeker envisions expanding the program to more virtual cohorts and creating even more 1:1 mentorship opportunities to further amplify the program’s impact.

“To see the program grow in the way it has, has been incredible to witness,” says Kroeker. “It’s a one -of- a-kind program that takes students on an immersive experience and right into the heart of Nairobi's bustling communities where they directly build entrepreneurial capacity that leads to economic betterment for the participants.”