Development of an Entrepreneurial Mindset In higher education Erasmus Project

Project Title

Development of an Entrepreneurial Mindset In higher education

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Entrepreneurial learning – entrepreneurship education; Quality and Relevance of Higher Education in Partner Countries

Project Summary

The development of the entrepreneurial capacity of EU citizens has been one of the key policy objectives for the EU for many years. The benefits of entrepreneurship education are not limited to start-ups, but also an individual’s ability to turn ideas into action. The important role of education in promoting more entrepreneurial attitudes and behaviours is now widely recognized. For Higher Education (HE) this is vital as it affects the success of students after graduation.
Eminds focuses on the development of entrepreneurial mindset primarily for Higher Education but also for VET Students.
Eminds is based on the EntreComp framework that has been published by the JRC, on behalf of DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, and has developed a definition of entrepreneurship as a competence and a reference framework describing it: the Entrepreneurship Competence Framework (EntreComp). By producing a common definition of entrepreneurship, the EntreComp aims to establish a bridge between the worlds of education and work and to be taken as a reference de facto by any initiative which aims to foster entrepreneurial learning.
Eminds aims to develop entrepreneurial mindset of Higher Education and VET students based on the EntreComp competence, through the application of a systematic methodology using student centered innovative approaches.
The specific objectives of Eminds are:
1. Validate EntreComp and use it as the framework.
2. Develop two assessment tools in two different EQF levels to assess the Entrepreneurship Competence of Higher Education and VET students.
3. Identify and use innovative student centered learning approaches to be used for the education of HE Students and VET. Such approaches are the Action Learning Sets and the EntreChallenges which are challenges to be resolved in an experiential way.
4. Develop materials to be used in non traditional learning environments, using student centered approaches (Action Learning and EntreChallenges, both in 2 EQF Levels).
5. Develop an installation and replication manual to describe the systematic approach for the development of the entrepreneurship competence in order to assist other Higher Education Institutions and VET providers to replicate the system.
The methodology of the project is the following:
1. Validation of EntreComp and translation of the competences identified into learning outcomes through the use of focus groups and expert input.
2. Development of an Αssessment tool in two levels (5 and 6) to assess the entrepreneurial mindset of students
3. Action learning materials are being developed (with the inputs from experts of the consortium) and used by 48 students during 15 Action Learning Set meetings (per EQF level). Meetings and materials are evaluated. Wrap up webinars also take place for reflection and evaluation of results.
4. A package for mentors is being developed that includes a curriculum, a webinar (synchronous – asynchronous) and a mentor’s guide. Mentors include academics, vet trainers and people from the industry.
5. Students then participate in EntreChallenges. Brainstorming workshops are being implemented in order to identify ideas for the challenges. The best ideas are selected and challenges are designed. For each of the challenges several activities are developed to guide the students towards the development of their competences. EntreChallenges are implemented in 5 distinct phases:
-Introduction
-Learning Activity 1
-Remote team working
-Learning Activity 2
-Project Completion
6. The last stage of the process is the composition of an installation and replication manual. The installation manual includes a step by step approach (describing the different steps of the project) for the development of entrepreneurial mindsets of students. Through a web application interested institutions can find partners to replicate the system.
Main Intellectual Outputs are:
-Report: Key competences and respective learning outcomes for the entrepreneurial mindset in Europe
-2 Assessment Tools.
-Training materials for the action learning sets.
-A complete package for mentors.
-EntreChallenges.
-An installation and replication manual including an application for searching for partners to install the system together.
All the above outputs are available on the website of the project.
Main results are:
-the development of entrepreneurial mindset for 48 students using Action Learning and 20 students using EntreChallenges.
-the assessment of 48 students after action learning and 20 students after EntreChallenges.
-the training of ten mentors.
-the involvement of industry through brainstorming workshops and mentoring (5 mentors).
Impact of the project is high for educational institutions, educators, students (Higher and Vet) and the industry including those that participate in the project as well as those that use the results after the completion of the project either as standalone results or as installation of the complete system.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 234243 Eur

Project Coordinator

MESOKELEAS LTD & Country: CY

Project Partners

• DIMITRA EDUCATION & CONSULTING SA
• FH JOANNEUM GESELLSCHAFT MBH
• METROPOLIA AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU OY
• INDUSTRY DISRUPTORS GAME CHANGERS
• M.M.C MANAGEMENT CENTER LIMITED
• UNIVERZA V NOVI GORICI