With a high unemployment rate amongst university graduates in Pakistan and the expectation that this number is likely going to rise (IMF, World Economic Outlook, 2018) there is a need for systematically supporting entrepreneurial activities from students and recent graduates in order to create jobs for themselves and others. Although there are studies that suggest that entrepreneurial support structures at Pakistani universities are likely to increase the entrepreneurial intentions of students in the future, reports also show over 64% of the student startups do not perceive Pakistani universities to support the spirit of collaboration and entrepreneurship. Over 65% wish more support through proper coaching, over 79% wish more feedback on ideas and over 50% wish proper mentoring. And this is where TAKE-UP steps in and wants to significantly improve on the entrepreneurial cultures of the partner universities in Pakistan and transform them into role models for Pakistani universities. TAKE-UP wants to utilize expertise and capacity already present in Pakistan by including a diverse group of partners, extending their knowledge by adding value through European partners who can provide all universities with additional perspectives and expertise, and generate knowledge that can be transferred to non-partner universities in Pakistan. In particular, TAKE-UP wants to focus on the capacity building of (associated) staff members of business incubation centers and faculty members, as these play a crucial role in the motivation, development, and sustainability of business ideas at the HEIs and equip universities with necessary tools to facilitate the work of these incubation centers (i.e. FabLabs). Activities in the project are designed in a way that a holistic approach is taken to create a broad understanding of being an entrepreneurial university, so that our capacity building effort has a sustainable effect on the institutions.
TAKE-UP aimed to leverage existing expertise in Pakistan by including diverse local partners and enhancing their knowledge with insights from European partners. This benefited both partner and non-partner universities. TAKE-UP focused on building the capacity of staff at business incubation centers and faculty members, crucial for sustaining business ideas at HEIs. Additionally, TAKE-UP equiped universities with tools to support these incubation centers, such as FabLabs and E-Learnings.
With high unemployment among university graduates in Pakistan expected to rise there is a pressing need to support entrepreneurial activities among students and recent graduates to create jobs. Although support structures at Pakistani universities could boost students' entrepreneurial intentions, over 64% of startups feel these universities lack collaboration and entrepreneurship support. Over 65% want more coaching, 79% seek more feedback, and 50% need proper mentoring.
<< Background >> With high unemployment among university graduates in Pakistan expected to rise there is a pressing need to support entrepreneurial activities among students and recent graduates to create jobs. Although support structures at Pakistani universities could boost students' entrepreneurial intentions, over 64% of startups feel these universities lack collaboration and entrepreneurship support. Over 65% want more coaching, 79% seek more feedback, and 50% need proper mentoring. << Objectives >> TAKE-UP aimed to leverage existing expertise in Pakistan by including diverse local partners and enhancing their knowledge with insights from European partners. This benefited both partner and non-partner universities. TAKE-UP focused on building the capacity of staff at business incubation centers and faculty members, crucial for sustaining business ideas at HEIs. Additionally, TAKE-UP equiped universities with tools to support these incubation centers, such as FabLabs and E-Learnings. << Implementation >> Activities in the project were designed in a holistic way to create a broad understanding of being an entrepreneurial university, so that our capacity building efforts had a sustainable effect on the institutions. << Results >> TAKE UP has effectively transformed the entrepreneurial culture within Pakistani universities. Key achievements include establishing a collaborative network among partner universities, enhancing expertise in fostering entrepreneurship, promoting sustainability through the sharing of open-source materials like entrepreneurship courses and coach trainings. The project has equipped universities with FabLabs, developed standardized coaching trainings, manual and certification process.