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Entrepreneurial Self-Leadership Education through Virtual Training

2020-1-LI01-KA203-0001902020Strategic Partnerships for higher educationfinalized
Countries: LI|HR|FI|AL · Grant: €344,877
New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training coursesEntrepreneurial learning - entrepreneurship educationKey Competences (incl. mathematics and literacy) - basic skills

Project summary

The participating organizations will develop, implement, and test a training program to improve the entrepreneurial mindset and skills of high school and university students via the use of mindfulness-based self-leadership methods. The project is designed to yield three tangible outputs: a training manual, a guided video course, and a case report of best practices in implementing the course. Participating students will benefit from improved personal faculties, such as self-efficacy, self-awareness, and self-confidence, which drive entrepreneurial intentions, actions, and success. First, the partners will jointly develop a course manual comprised of a theoretical foundation on the methods employed as well as practical exercises for students to reflect on themselves, set goals, and plan their implementation. The course manual will be used to design and record a video course to help facilitate the presentation and delivery of the contents in the course manual. The addition of a video course will make the students' participation in the training a multisensory experience when compared to merely reading the manual, which has been shown to improve learning effectivity. Following the recording of the video course, the partner organizations will conduct a baseline assessment of their students' proficiency in self-leadership skills and entrepreneurial cognition and mindset. Afterwards, each organization will teach the course to their enrolled students and, then, repeat the assessment. The results will be compared to those of a wait-list control group. This allows conclusions to be drawn as to the effectiveness of the course material in training the skills and abilities that the course was designed to train. The organizations will engage in scientifically rigorous methods of analysis to explore whether a causal link between a participation between a student's participation in the training and an improvement in their personal entrepreneurial skills and mindset can be established. Each partner will create an individual case report on the experiences they acquired during the teaching of the course at their institution. These case reports will then be collated, compared, and conflated to form an overarching case study, which serves as guidance for third party organizations that wish to teach the developed course material to their students after this project is completed. The partners will meet in person several times over the course of the projects to exchange learnings and best practices acquired and to plan the implementation of upcoming milestones in detail. In the long term, the project will help students to become more responsible citizens by equipping them with the necessary tools, abilities, and cognitions to identify and pursue entrepreneurial ventures successfully. This can be done not only in the creation of standalone start-up companies, but also within the framework of established organizations which aim to drive innovativeness and have to rely on employees who possess the entrepreneurial spirit and skills. These skills to achieve success are further transferable to the implementation of a wide variety of personal endeavors in the realms of hobbies or passions, further fostering the students' feelings of self-efficacy and self-worth. Further, the course material will be made accessible for free to individuals across the globe, allowing them to prosper independent of their location. This, in turn, will prove beneficial not only for those participating students but also for society as a whole. Value creation in a more and more globalized and united economic context requires entrepreneurial action on both a personal and corporate level.

Objectives

The project developed a training program to teach young adults essential skills, such as self-leadership, entrepreneurship, and mindfulness. The program aimed to empower participants to set meaningful goals and learn from their experiences using an adaptive approach. To achieve this goal, the project focused on developing both interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, emphasising mindfulness and self-leadership to foster self-awareness, self-confidence, and a deeper understanding of oneself and one's role in the world. Participants were encouraged to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset and approach challenges with creativity and a can-do attitude. The project also aimed to have a significant impact on the participants' ability to work effectively in teams and contribute positively to group dynamics. By developing these skills, the project sought to help participants become more effective leaders and collaborators, contributing to the success of their organisations and making a positive impact on society. Ultimately, the project aimed to create a generation of young adults capable of leading from within, making a positive impact on their communities, and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.

Background

Entrepreneurship skills are becoming increasingly important in today's competitive job market. They not only enable individuals to start a business but also provide a framework for creatively solving problems, leading oneself, and adapting to change. The project aimed to develop students' self-efficacy, self-confidence, and self-awareness to help them achieve individual and team goals. It involved training in self-leadership, mindfulness, and social skills to promote internationalisation and excellence in teaching. The training course focused on bringing out the best in students, enriching their abilities, and providing them with a framework for learning, applying, growing, and giving back to society. It was designed to be transnational and adaptable to different contexts, focusing on individual and transpersonal levels. The comprehensive program fostered interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, cultivated an entrepreneurial mindset, and promoted proactivity and self-reflection. By the end of the program, students had a deeper understanding of themselves and others, acquired new problem-solving skills, and developed an entrepreneurial mindset that would prove valuable in any career path.

Project partners (5)