Embedding Enterprise within the Culture of the HEI
The project majored in embedding enterprise in the culture of the HEI by producing a range of support materials and a good practice guide. Existing good practice was identified to develop a guide for HEIs/Students’ Unions to create a bridge between centrally initiated enterprise programmes and the establishment of robust, student-led enterprise activities. In order to raise the profile of enterprise within the student body, Buckinghamshire New University now needs to find a way for the students to take ownership of the agenda and develop it for themselves.
Best Practice Guide - Establishing an Enterprise Society
Student Business Idea Assessment and Educational Tool
This project produced and piloted an internet-based, self-assessment diagnostic and educational portal for university students and staff who have new ideas for innovative enterprises. Minor modifications were made to the tool following feedback from the Bootcamp users. The tool has also been used by students on the MSc in Strategic Entrepreneurship at Southampton University as a project assessment tool. Students have been directed to specific academic and business support personnel within their own universities to further investigate the opportunity by providing specialist advice on commercialising and developing their business idea.
Breaking Boundaries - Harnessing the Potential of Enterprise for Medical Research
Over sixty delegates attended the Breaking Boundaries Conference on May 4th 2007 where international speakers provided personal perspectives on enterprise. The Skills for Business Workshop in April 2008, introduced Allied Health Professional students to the skills mix required to establish and manage a successful business. In June 2008 the Enterprise and Expertise Away day presented an overview of the possible opportunities in the area of enterprise. These events have enabled the University of Southampton to further establish the enterprise agenda within the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences.
'Bright Futures' Interactive Training Documentary
The Small Projects Fund was used to produce an educational documentary which followed five students as they progressed through an intensive three day entrepreneurship programme. This collaborative project features the seven universities which together make up WestFocus, and its partnership with community groups and SMEs. The exciting short film has an interactive dimension and is designed as an educational tool to assist teaching entrepreneurship by introducing educators within local, national and international institutions to an inspiring and new pedagogy of entrepreneurship.
Craft Entrepreneurship
Thirty-two students from ten universities across the South East attended this one day event, held in February 2008. Postgraduate students in craft, entrepreneurship, marketing and branding were given the opportunity to integrate with industry experts to develop marketing proposals and branding for the region’s next generation of craft entrepreneurs. The project supports the development of creativity and innovation within the creative industries and developing enterprise, entrepreneurship and commercialisation of research with the potential to contribute to the local economy.
Integrating Entrepreneurship in the Broader Curriculum & Raising Student Awareness
This project has enabled the research practices of the University of Kent and other HEIs, to identify areas of good practice for integrating entrepreneurship within the curriculum. It was also used as an opportunity to gather information about entrepreneurial education activities, and the research of different models available, to expand this activity across the broader curriculum. This has increased the opportunity for students to engage in enterprise activities, thus raising student awareness and participation in entrepreneurship opportunities.
Developing a Sustainable Foundation for Enterprise Education at the University of Chichester
The provision of facilitator training for a cross section of staff from the University of Chichester in the use of Xing, (formally titled YOMP) was central to this project. The funding enabled the training of twelve members of staff from a cross section of subject areas and departments within the university via a one day workshop. The funding also allowed for the purchase of additional Xing-based resources that would be accessible to tutors.
Accreditation of Entrepreneurship Experience
The conference held in May 2008 provided a unique forum for employers and educators to exchange perspectives on the role of entrepreneurship and its contribution to student employability. The project allowed experiential learning and entrepreneurship education to be recognised and accredited. It also presented the opportunity for Bucks New University to share learning resources with other HEEG members to support entrepreneurship activities. Overall the project has raised the profile of entrepreneurship and encouraged more active participation in its learning..
Arts Enterprise Mentoring Network Development
The project proposed to address the gap in provision for creative industry start-ups. Kingston University were able to identify existing good practice in mentoring and also research the challenges encountered in the creative industries and the creative economy. This allowed them to develop a database resource for managing contacts with trained mentors. Additionally, it provided the opportunity to establish a training programme and recruit an initial group of mentors for creative industries.
Embedding Enterprise Education
The Educators Workshop, held in November 2007, enabled delegates to share best practice in enterprise and explore new enterprise teaching techniques. In March 2008 a showcase event bought together students, educators and local business support agencies to hear about the professional and personal journeys undertaken by established entrepreneurs. The project enabled CCCU to engage a wider cross section of students in enterprise activities and helped to establish new links and consolidate existing links with local FE colleges and schools.
Post-study Pre-business Entrepreneurship: Creating an Enterprising and Entrepreneurial Alumni Programme Network
The University of Oxford recognised the need to diversify and expand its entrepreneurial architecture to help its graduates realise their entrepreneurial potential. The project funding allowed them to create a portrait of the needs of the University of Oxford alumni and correlate the different aspects in the provision of entrepreneurship expertise. They were also able to establish a new network and programme of entrepreneurship education enrolling alumni, current university faculty and students.
Research and Development of a Venture-Planning Toolkit
The funds were used to research the need for a visual toolkit to be used as an aid for entrepreneurs who are required to write their first business plan at the pre-start up stage. The research team held two focus groups, ten in-depth interviews, thirty-three questionnaires and reviewed forty business-planning toolkits. The data collected and analysed enabled them to develop this valuable toolkit and subsequently recognise the need for a dyslexia-friendly toolkit.
|
