PROJECT PLAN for EDUNET, A GATEWAY
FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGE TO ACCESSING
FREE FOREIGN QUALITY EDUCATION &
OBTAINING VARIFIED CERTIFICATES IN
DIFFERENT COURSES VIA
WWW.COURSERA.ORG
EDUNET
PACKAGED BY:
NOMSU C. AUDU PROGRAMME & PROJECT
COORDINATOR @ KINGDOM CITIZENS
EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE KADUNA.
GSM: 08135600988, 08055749446,
08021229469
1.0 Executive Summary
EduNet, unlike a typical cyber cafe, will provide a unique platform
for communication. It is a gateway for the less privilege youths to
accessing free quality foreign education and obtaining verified
certificate via www.coursera.org. EduNet is the answer to
educational problem of this community. Kingdom Citizens
Empowerment Initiative on this project will be working mostly
with youth within the age bracket of (18-25) years. The youths
are hungry for quality education and what they need is: (1)
access to the methods of communication and volumes of
information now available on the Internet, and (2) access at a
cost they can afford and in such a way that they aren't socially,
economically, or politically isolated. EduNet's goal is to provide
the community with access to quality educational and social,
entertaining, atmosphere for worldwide communication.
This plan is developed to obtain financing in a sum of $20,400.
$10,500 has already been secured from individuals in donations
within the organization. The funds are required to begin work on
site preparation, equipment purchases, and to cover expenses in
the first year of operations.
The capital investment will allow EduNet to provide its users with
a full featured Internet cafe. A unique, upscale, and innovative
environment is required to provide the users with an atmosphere
that will spawn socialization. Successful operation in year one will
provide EduNet with a user base that will allow it to be self
sufficient in year two.
1.1 Objectives
EduNet's objectives for the first two years of operation include:
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To develop an increasing educational user platform.
To build a well developed environment filled with talented
and educated youths in diverse fields of endeavors
Educating the community on what other profitable things the
computer and Internet has to offer.
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The creation of an environment that will bring youths with
diverse interests and values together in a common ground.
Most affordable access to the resources of the Internet and
other profitable online services.
Plan expansion to neighboring states
1.2 Risks
 Natural disaster e.g. fire out brake
 Mismanagement e.g. lack of proficient managerial skills that
will sustain EduNet. etc
 Security e.g. protects EduNet facilities from theft. Etc
1.3 Mission
As the popularity of the Internet continues to grow at an
exponential rate in the Northern region of Nigeria, easy and
affordable access to the internet is rapidly becoming a necessity.
EduNet will provide Youths in various communities the ability to
access free quality foreign education online through
www.coursera.org and also share Internet experiences in a
comfortable environment.
1.4 Company Summary
EduNet is sited at Sabon Tasha area along the express way,
kaduna. This will offer the surrounding community easy access to
location. EduNet will provide the less privilege absolutely free
access to the unique courses on www.coursera.org. EduNet will
also provide users with a unique and innovative environment for
enjoying great access to the internet.
EduNet will appeal to individuals of all ages and backgrounds but
allow free access only to the less privilege youth within the age
bracket 18-25. The instructional Internet classes, and the helpful
staff that EduNet provides, will appeal to the audience that could
not afford access to the computer and those that does not
associate themselves with the computer age. This educational
aspect will attract younger and elderly members, mostly of the
lower class in the community who are rapidly gaining interest in
quality education and the unique resources that online
communications have to offer.
2.0 Company Ownership
EduNet is a private property of Kingdom Citizens Empowerment
Initiative, a non-profit/non-governmental organization situated in
Kaduna State Nigeria.
2.1 Start-up Summary
EduNet start-up costs will cover capital to cover losses in the first
year, and the communications equipment necessary to get its
users online.
The communications equipment necessary to provide EduNet
users with a high-speed connection to the Internet and the
services it has to offer make up a large portion of the start-up
costs. These costs will include the computers, terminals and all
costs associated with their set-up. Costs will also be designated
for the purchase of two laser printers and a scanner.
Start-up Expense Details:
Sixteen (16) HP Desk Top Computers = $12,100
2. Two Power Air conditions = $1,000
3. Rent procurement = $1,500
4. Photocopy machine = $750
5. two HP printers = $1,000
6. one HP scanner = $400
7. software = $345
8. one year internet subscription = $1,000
9. six months employees salary = $3,200
10. one information display counter = $1,000
11. eighteen stools = $2,300
12. decoration expense = $3,000
13. legal fees = $500
1.
2.2 Company Location
A site is already secured for this project. This site was chosen for
very good reasons which include;
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Proximity to the surrounding communities.
Low cost rent.
Steady power supply
All of these qualities are consistent with EduNet goal of providing
a central hub of communication for accessibility to quality
education on the internet and socialization for the community.
Services
EduNet will provide full access to the Internet. Printing, scanning,
introductory courses to the Internet and other computer courses
will also be available for users.
3.0 Competitive Comparison
Edunet will be the first Internet cafe in Kaduna State that will
offer free access to quality education on courser.org. EduNet will
differentiate itself from the strictly profit making Internet cafés by
offering special discount on Scanning, Printing and Photocopy.
3.1 Service Description
EduNet will provide its users with full access to the Internet and
common computer softwares. Some of the Internet and
computing services available to EduNet Users are listed below:
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Free access to www.coursera.org.
Access to external email accounts.
Computer certificate courses.
Access to Opera, Mozilla Fire Fox or Internet Explorer
browser.
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Access to photocopy, laser and color printing.
Access to popular software applications such as Corel Draw,
Adobe PhotoShop and Microsoft Packages.
3.2 Fulfillment
EduNet will obtain computer support and Internet access from
Businesscom Networks with branches all over the Nation.
Businesscom Networks will provide the Internet connections,
network consulting, and the hardware required to run the
EduNetwork.
3.3 Technology
JavaNet will invest in high-speed computers to provide its users
with a fast and efficient connection to the Internet. The
computers will be reliable and fun to work with. EduNet will
continue to upgrade and modify the systems to stay current with
communications technology. One of the main attractions
associated with Internet cafes, is the state of the art equipment
available for use. Not everyone has a Core i PC in their home or
office.
3.4 Future Services
As EduNet grows, more communications systems will be added.
The possibility of additional units has been accounted for in the
current plan. As the demand for quality education and Internet
connectivity increases, along with the increase in competition,
EduNet will continue to add new services to keep its customer
base coming back for more.
Progress Analysis Summary
The consistent interest by Nigeria students to gain a foreign
certificate, combined with the growing interest in the Internet,
has been proven to be a winning concept in other markets has
produced and will continue to produce the same results in
Kaduna.
Implementation Summary
EduNet is implementing two main strategies. The first and most
important strategy focuses on attracting users who are
passionate with education and willing to go extra miles to
obtaining a foreign verified certificate. By a friendly environment,
EduNet hopes to be fully occupied providing excellent services.
The second strategy focuses on pulling in Novice Internet users.
Novice Internet users are extremely hungry to accessing the
Internet and its offerings. By providing a novice friendly
environment, EduNet hopes to educate and train a loyal user
base. This group of customers serves an important function at
EduNet.
5.0 Strategy Pyramid
The following subtopics provide an overview of EduNet's two key
strategies.
5.1 Attract Power Internet Users
EduNet's primary strategy will be focused on attracting users who
are passionate with education, foreign verified certificates and the
internet. This class of users provides an important function at
EduNet. EduNet plans on sustaining its activities from gains
obtain from the two types of users mentioned above by:
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Providing the most affordable price in photocopying of
course materials.
Providing scanning and printing of course materials at the
most affordable price.
Providing quality and most affordable practical training in
computer courses.
5.2 Attract Novice Internet Users
EduNet's secondary strategy focuses on attracting novice Internet
users. EduNet plans on attracting these customers by:
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Providing a novice friendly environment. EduNet will be
staffed by knowledgeable employees focused on serving the
customer's needs.
A customer service desk will always be staffed. If a customer
has any type of question or concern, an EduNet employee
will always be available to assist.
EduNet will offer introductory classes on the Internet and
email. These classes will be designed to help novice users
familiarize themselves with these key tools and the EduNet
computer systems.
5.3 SWOT Analysis
The SWOT analysis provides us with an opportunity to examine
the internal strengths and weaknesses JavaNet must address. It
also allows us to examine the opportunities presented to JavaNet
as well as potential threats.
JavaNet has a valuable inventory of strengths that will help it
succeed. These strengths include: a knowledgeable and friendly
staff, state-of-the-art computer hardware, and a clear vision of
the market need. Strengths are valuable, but it is also important
to realize the weaknesses JavaNet must address. These
weaknesses include: a dependence on quickly changing
technology, and the cost factor associated with keeping state-ofthe art computer hardware.
JavaNet's strengths will help it capitalize on emerging
opportunities. These opportunities include, but are not limited to,
a growing population of daily Internet users, and the growing
social bonds fostered by the new Internet communities. Threats
that JavaNet should be aware of include, the rapidly falling cost of
Internet access, and emerging local competitors.
5.3.1 Weaknesses
1. A reliance on a rapidly changing technology. EduNet is a
place for people to experience the technology of the
Internet. The technology that is the Internet changes
rapidly. Product lifecycles are measured in weeks, not
months. EduNet needs to keep up with the technology
because a lot of the EduNet experience is technology.
2. Keeping up with the technology of the Internet is an
expensive undertaking. EduNet needs to balance technology
needs with the other needs of the project. One aspect of the
project can't be sacrificed for the other.
5.3.2 Opportunities
1. Growing population of Nigerians constantly yearns for
foreign Verified Certificate, quality education and daily
Internet services. The importance of the Internet almost
equals that of the telephone. As the population of daily
Internet users increases, so will the need for the services
EduNet offers.
2. Social bonds fostered by the new Internet communities. The
Internet is bringing people from across the world together
unlike any other communication medium. EduNet will
capitalize on this social trend by providing a place for
smaller and local Internet communities to meet in person
and benefit from educational services the Internet have to
offer.
EduNet will grow some of these communities on its
own by establishing chat areas and community
programs. These programs will be designed to
strengthen cordiality among youths of different
ethnicity, culture and religion.
5.3.3 Threats
1. Rapidly falling cost of Internet access. The cost of access to
the Internet for home users is dropping rapidly. Internet
access may become so cheap and affordable that nobody
will be willing to pay for access to it. EduNet is aware of this
threat and has already plan to provide absolutely free access
to the Internet, as it is owned by a nonprofit organization.
5.3.4 Strengths
1. Knowledgeable and friendly staff. We've gone to great
lengths at EduNet to find people with a passion for teaching
and sharing their Internet experiences. Our staffs will be
both knowledgeable and eager to please.
2. Upscale ambiance. When you walk into EduNet, you'll feel
the technology. High quality computers with flat-screen
monitors inset into the walls provide a cozy hideaway for
meetings and small friendly gatherings. Large round tables
with displays viewable from above provide a forum for larger
gatherings and friendly "how-to" classes on the Internet.
3. Clear vision of the market need. EduNet knows what it takes
to build an upscale cyber cafe. We know the users, we
understand the technology, and we know how to build the
service that will bring the two together.
5.4 Competitive Edge
EduNet will follow a differentiation strategy to achieve a
competitive advantage in the market. By providing the most
affordable services, EduNet separates itself from all other cafes in
Kaduna State. In addition, EduNet provides a comfortable
environment with quality and most affordable computer courses,
distinguishing itself from other Internet providers in Kaduna.
5.5 Sales Strategy
EduNet employs people to handle sales transactions. Computer
literacy is a requirement for EduNet employees. If an employee
does not possess basic computer skills when they are recruited,
they are trained by our full-time technician. Our full-time
technician is also available for users in need of assistance.
EduNet's commitment to friendly, helpful service is one of the key
factors that distinguish EduNet from other Internet cafes.
Progressive Chart
5
4.5
4
3.5
Photocopy, Printing &
Scanning
3
2.5
Enrollment into Coursera.org
2
Enrollment into Computer
Courses
1.5
1
0.5
0
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Management Summary
EduNet is owned by “Kingdom Citizens Empowerment Initiative”
(a charitable nonprofit organization) Manage by Mr. Nomsu C.
Audu. The organization, being small in nature, requires a simple
organizational structure. Implementation of this organizational
form calls for the Manager, Mr. Nomsu C. Audu, to make all of the
major management decisions in addition to monitoring all
activities.
6.0 Personnel Plan
The staff will consist of three part-time employees, each working
two hours a day at $3.0 per hour and two full-time employees,
one of which is a technician (who is more technologically oriented
to handle minor terminal repairs/inquiries) and the other a
secretary/attendant who will respond to user’s queries at all
times. Because of these characteristics, there are few
coordination problems seen at EduNet that are common within
larger organizational chains. This strategy will enable EduNet to
react quickly to changes in the market.
Financial Plan
The following sections lay out the details of our financial plan for
the next three years.
7.0 Start-up Funding
This business plan is prepared to obtain financing in the amount
of $20,400. The supplemental financing is required to begin work
on equipment purchases, and to cover expenses in the first year
of operations.
Additional financing has already been secured in the sum of
$9,500. These are donations from within the organization.
8.0 Conclusion
This plan is only a summary detail. All necessary advancement
needed to actualize this project is already in place. Kingdom
Citizens Empowerment Initiative is determine in taking the less
privileged youths in the state, starting from this very community
the sense of belonging in the society.
The search for foreign and advanced certificate by Nigerians can
never be over emphasized. One major problem that’s very like to
be encountered by the management of EduNet is the ability to
contain the number of intending enrollees as enrollment into
EduNet for coursera.org courses is absolutely free.