This is an ambitious project developed in a context where many HEIs have not fully embraced the power of elearning and manner in which this medium allows them to provide more student centric courses. The background of project takes into account the tremendous potential that exists through the collaboration of EU HEIs in creating international faculty and virtual classrooms with state-of-the art e-learning. It uses the power of international focused networks and their ability to leverage individual experience and knowhow to the benefit of an international student body. The project shows how small networks of a few people in each HEI, together can design, develop, market and implement top quality graduate programmes. The objectives of this project can be summarised as follows: 1. To kick start what has called for a great deal of research and preparatory work over the past three years; 2. To demonstrate the high caliber of e-learning if the right e-learning platform is used, by suitably qualified and trained educators and administrators and under the auspices of recognised EU quality recognition frameworks and the national representatives; 3. To attract EU entrepreneurs and prove that this cost-effective on-line programme that will assist them in developing and honing their entrepreneurial skills to the benefit of their own enterprise and that of their community; 4. To attract other HEIs to the project to grow the project all over the EU. 5. An innovative multiple HEI programme structure and content material to be certified as a 90 ECTS credit Level 7 programme audited and certified by the Malta regulator, the National Commission for Further and Higher Education, NCFHE. 6. Delivery of 9 subject modules using blended learning related to management and entrepreneurship - minimum of 1 by each HEI in the consortium with each module creating a work package which each student has to implement on the field in the internship stage which will in turn provide the more pragmatic foundations for the investor ready business plan which is to be presented for completion of the programme. 7. An internship monitoring programme through which each partner HEI maintains contact with the students it introduced to the programme and mentors their internship work. 8. A business planning programme through which each partner HEI maintains contact with the students introduced to the programme and supervises their work on the preparation of the investor ready business plan. 9.The development of 90-20 entrepreneurs, to be provided at the end of the project after the pilot's programme first intake with 50% scholarships for the complete Masters course 10. A 900 complimentary non-transferable subscriptions to the course module subjects. Each student can select up to six from the nine subjects available. Successful participants of the self-learn courses will receive a Certificate of Participation in each of the subject modules completed. 11. A 900 complimentary non-transferable on-line access passes to the MHEI-ME database of Entrepreneur Profiles which will be developed after the pilot intake as an integral part of the internship module and will subsequently be made available to students, alumni and other authorised users. 12. A 900 complimentary non-transferable on-line access passes to the MHEI-ME database of SME Business Plans which will be developed after the intake as an integral part of the Business Plan final project module and will subsequently be made available to students, alumni and other authorised users. 13. An operational international HEI and alumni network that can serve as the basis for further on-going entrepreneurship research and development projects - typical projects could be setting up international indexes for issues such as business friendliness, or accessibility of funds to SMEs, etc for each participating country. 14. An effective working relationship between the public and private enterprises formed by 6 European HEIs: MALTA, Advenio eAcademy; SLOVAKIA, University of Žilina; HUNGARY, Szent Istvan University; GREECE, University of Ioannina; UKRAINE, Higher Educational Institution of Ukoopspilka Poltava, University of Economics and Trade ITALY, University of Bari, Aldo Moro The activities of the project comprise the design, development and implementation of custom elearning courses. The methodology to be used in carrying out the project is one based on ongoing and open communications at administration and academic levels primarily through the use of video conference planning and operations meetings. The results should be reflected in the positive feedback by participants, administrators, academics and the students which should lead to the sustainability and continued growth of the programme. The long term the impact should be better equipped entrepreneurs leading and growing their businesses in EU.
Advenio eAcademy a licensed higher educational institution (HEI) based in Malta, in collaboration with a number of Higher Educational Institutions over the period 2016-2019, designed, developed and now operates an innovative accredited on-line Masters programme in Entrepreneurship. The collaborating partners are; Szent Istvan University - Hungary, University of Bari Aldo Moro - Italy, University of Ioannina – Greece, University of Zilina - Slovakia and Poltava University of Economics and Trade - Ukraine. This Masters programme is certified by the NCFHE, National Commission for Further and Higher Education in Malta, as a 90 ECTS credits Level 7 programme awarded by Advenio eAcademy in collaboration with the Partner HEIs. The collaborating Higher Educational Institutions bring to the programme years of international experience at graduate level and include some very well-known European universities. This international involvement is what distinguishes the proposed programme most from other programmes available in the market. It provides a uniquely European open approach to learning, focusing on the on-going development of best practices in the different fields related to entrepreneurship. This programme is designed to assist practicing entrepreneurs, current managers of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, or managers working within larger organisations who want to make the transition to the SME environment either as entrepreneurs or executives within SMEs. The programme is in response to the market requirements for specialised post graduate quality courses that meet the needs of existing entrepreneurs and small business managers. The focus of this programme is to provide entrepreneurs, or aspiring entrepreneurs, with a higher level of competence to enable them to successfully launch or grow their SME operation. The consortium developed the programme in 4 different stages: Stage 1 – 6 Foundation modules Principles of Management – Developed and delivered by Advenio eAcademy Principles of HRM – Developed and delivered by Szent Istvan University Principles of ICT – Developed and delivered by University of Ioannina Principles of Financial Management – Developed and delivered by Advenio eAcademy Principles of Marketing & Sales – Developed and delivered by Advenio eAcademy Principles of Entrepreneurship – Developed and delivered by University of Ioannina Stage 2 – 3 Specialist Modules Fund-raising for Start-ups and Growth of SMEs – Developed and delivered by Poltava University of Economics and Trade Creativity & Innovation Management for SMEs – Developed and delivered by University of Bari Digital Marketing & Social Media for SMEs – Developed and delivered by University of Zilina Stage 3 – Internship The Internship Programme provides an opportunity to combine theoretical education with applied work experience. During the internship, the intern will be expected to carry out a number of work packages. These will be assigned in each of the nine courses which students must complete. Stage 4 – Investor ready Business Plan Project This research-based project compels students to investigate and plan for a new business launch or the growth of an existing business through new product or new market development. The pilot intake for the certified programme started with 15 students. However, due to other studies and work commitment 3 students had to withdraw from the programme. An additional, 4 students did not complete the full programme but received an Award in Entrepreneurship or Post-Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship depending on the ECTS credits obtained. The full Masters programme was completed by 8 students. All students praised the innovativeness of this programme in terms of faculty, content, and delivery.