1. Fostering Entrepreneurship in Higher Education – a EU perspective Simone BALDASSARRI Unit E.1 Entrepreneurship

2. Definition of Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship refers to an individual’s ability to turn ideas into action. It includes creativity, innovation and risk taking, as well as the ability to plan and manage projects in order to achieve objectives. This supports everyone in day-to-day life at home and in society, makes employees more aware of the context of their work and better able to seize opportunities, and provides a foundation for entrepreneurs establishing a social or commercial activity (2006 Recommendation on Key Competences for Lifelong Learning)

3. Overview Entrepreneurship is not sufficiently integrated in the curriculum of HEIs The majority of entrepreneurship courses are offered in business and economic studies Chances of being exposed to EE are higher when the student is enrolled in a business school or a multidisciplinary institution with a business school. More than half of the student population in Europe do not have access to Entrepreneurship Education

4. More data from the 2008 European Survey Only 1/4 of specialized and 1/3 of multidisciplinary institutions without a business school offer entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship most commonly offered to undergraduate or graduate students, fewer courses for PhD students Entrepreneurship education is still immature: often person driven and depending upon the efforts of individuals In only 20% of HEIs the teaching staff must undergo training in order to teach entrepreneurship. Less than 1/3 of staff teaching entrepreneurship had practical experience with entrepreneurship outside academia.

5. Teaching tools There is a gap between methods applied and those that are seen as the most effective Experience-based methods are crucial: traditional pedagogies (lectures) are not the most effective Most effective methods indicated: group techniques for new business ideas, case studies, business planning workshops Essential element: crossing boundaries between disciplines, and multi-disciplinary collaboration

6. Problems/Obstacles Shortage of funding Too few professors of entrepreneurship Little incentive and reward for teachers Faculties and departments tend to work separately Mobility between HEIs and business is low HEIs are not sufficiently involved with their alumni

7. Actions for HEIs Set up a strategy or action plan Create an entrepreneurial hub Offer introduction to entrepreneurship to all, and opportunities to follow more specific courses Set up incentives to motivate and reward staff Encourage the spontaneous initiative of students Award credits for activities and practical work