1. Michael Gaebel SPHRE/ European University Association
HERE Study Visit The role of universities in developing entrepreneurial skills University of Montpellier – April 2018
Michael Gaebel
SPHRE/ European University Association

2. What is entrepreneurship?
process of designing, launching and running a new business, which is often initially a small business. The people who create these businesses are called entrepreneurs.
"capacity and willingness to develop, organize and manage a business venture along with any of its risks in order to make a profit“
Schumpeter: an entrepreneur is a person who is willing and able to convert a new idea or invention into a successful innovation. “creative destruction"
(Wikipedia)
Emil Jellinek driving his Phoenix Double-Phaeton

3. How to teach entrepreneurship
How to teach entrepreneurship? “somehow irrational” – “difficult to teach”
a different way of thinking …? different ways ...?
and acting ...
Disruption
Unpredictable
Risk
US Airways Flight 1549

4. What are our educational goals?
Academic education
Disciplinary knowledge
Academic rigour
Research exposure, scholarship
Professional skills
“having been there …” = social learning
21 century skills
Critical thinking, problem solving, analysis
Research skills and practices
Creativity, artistry, curiosity,
Perseverance, self-direction, planning, self-discipline, adaptability, initiative
Oral and written communication, public speaking and presenting, listening
Leadership, teamwork, collaboration, cooperation, facility in using virtual workspaces
Information and communication technology (ICT) literacy, media and internet literacy, data interpretation and analysis, computer programming
Civic, ethical, and social-justice literacy

5. Entrepreneurship education – a goal for higher education?
Researchers?
Academic teachers?
Professionals?
Entrepreneurs?
Innovators?
Leaders?
Global citizens?
Responsible citizens? …
on entrepreneurship:
“creativity, flexibility and resilience”
“become active, confident citizens”
“tackle global challenges”
EU Commissioner Navracsics
Beijing, 11 Oct 2016

6. Growing emphasis on entrepreneurship & entrepreneurship education
Response to changing economic environment
Business is changing, but also social enterprise
2008 economic crisis
European Training Foundation:
Increased HE attendance (less VET)
Employment prospects structurally decrease
Graduates prefer public employment (?)
Changing economic structures and social needs
EC: “Europe needs more entrepreneurs creating jobs”
OECD, EU … : stronger focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, university-business partnerships
Governments react:

7. European Student Union (ESU)
“Entrepreneurship should be seen as additional method to develop students’ transversal skills, and not only as a solution to the graduate unemployment. ESU believes that entrepreneurship should not be a mandatory part of all curricula. However, entrepreneurial studies should be provided upon the students’ request.”

8. EUA’s TRENDS 2015 study
Since 1999: reality check in the Bologna Process
2015: focus on learning and teaching
451 institutions from 46 countries (40% of the European students )
Some key results
Increased importance of learning & learning innovation
“stronger focus on entrepreneurship and innovation and on strengthening university-business partnerships”
stronger in certain disciplines and types of institutions, but a “general trend”

9. Entrepreneurship as part of curricula: 83% do it
33%: across the institution
50%: some faculties
8%: plan to do
6%: no

10. 74% provide support to student entrepreneurship

11. Different aspects of entrepreneurship on HE
Education
Teaching and learning “entrepreneurship”
Addition to academic (disciplinary) education
A way to modernise education
Economic & social entrepreneurship
University-industry cooperation?
Entrepreneurship ≠ business/trade
HEI contribution:
Research
Research on entrepreneurship
teaching
services to society
Different aspects of entrepreneurship on HE

12. What you are interested in
Entre
preneur ship
Enhancing Education
Providing students better skills
Real life practice
Business skills
University- industry collaboration
Job creation
University strategies/ governance
Good practice