Faculty of Health, Legal and Business studies, Singidunum University, has created a unique entrepreneurial education model which is created/based on experiences of its foreign educational-institution partners. Its flexibility enables constant adaptation to the needs of a wide range of stakeholders.
On the one hand, the student is provided an opportunity to master the theoretical knowledge provided by the study program and the broad areas of interest, as well as to recognize situations in which they can be successfully implemented. On the other hand, the student has the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial spirit which is reflected in initiative, activism, corresponding personality traits, analyzing, reasoning, decision making and action based on knowledge and experiences acquired during the studies.
The students’ motivation to engage in this process of education lies in the enthusiasm of the teaching staff, as well as in the success of students who had been through the process before them. Students have the opportunity to enrich their CVs even during their studies and make a network of contacts among students and representatives of industry, as well as gain study experience in a modern, innovative and unique manner and environment developed to contribute towards students’ increased competitiveness on the market regardless of their preferences either to become an integral part of an existing company, or to start their own business venture.
How is this achieved, or what are the elements of this entrepreneurial model? As the basis there are theoretical and scientific achievements, whereas studying and adoption are ensured through the implementation and application of modern didactic and methodical practice. It is based on awareness that the development of the entrepreneurial mindset, gaining experience and skills, application of knowledge and encouragement of appropriate personality traits are all parts of a continual process. Therefore, the model elements are arranged in ascending gradation according to students’ responsibility, complexity of tasks, scope of knowledge that needs to be acquired and/ or applied, and the level of adoption of necessary skills in a given educational project.
Elements of the Entrepreneurial educational model are:
- Mentorship (years 1-4)
- Educational projects including skills development sessions (years 1-3)
- Field work/ research (usually years 2-3)
- Stock market of students’ entrepreneurial ideas (usually year 3)
- Elective practical research (year 3)
- students’ Personal entrepreneurial project (accompanied by simulator-based sessions)/ Graduation thesis (year 4)
