International Entrepreneurship Conference Unites
Worldwide Universities
Press release Nov 2, 2007 - Kimberly Sugden
In a unique event, focused on an area of rapidly developing importance, the recent WUN Chicago Entrepreneurship Conference brought together over 130 top scholars from around the world to establish new research paradigms and shape education for the ever changing world of global entrepreneurship. The Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and the Worldwide Universities Network hosted this first conference in a series of entrepreneurial workshops with subsequent events already planned in Leeds and Zhejiang.
The Chicago conference served as a perfect forum to discuss three key themes of research interest: multi-disciplinary entrepreneurship education in universities, the role of entrepreneurship as a change agent in the global economy and the growing significance of social entrepreneurship to enhance or replace state support. A diverse array of fifty presentations sparked motivating dialogues, while inspiring delegates to showcase their innovative entrepreneurial programs; topics united the global Universities, as participants collaborated on methods to enrich educational experiences for all students, while generating a positive impact in their respective communities.
"The WUN Chicago conference demonstrated the interest in global issues related to entrepreneurship and the incredible energy created when you engage thought leaders from across the globe," said Anthony Mendes, the executive director of the Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership. "This was a unique opportunity to provide a venue where research and teaching in entrepreneurship could be discussed and new collaborations formed to advance the field. I look forward to the follow-up conferences at Leeds in the UK and in China and I know entrepreneurship education will be advanced through this international effort."
"Competitiveness and innovation are key issues of the 21st Century and underpin wide-ranging global challenges and opportunities," remarked David Pilsbury, president of the Worldwide Universities Network.. "Many governments worldwide are concerned to foster entrepreneurship. However, activities to support entrepreneurial approaches within universities are still emergent and there is little research globally on the enterprise process. Only by better understanding the key components of the enterprise and innovation will we be able to continue our rapid economic development."
The success of the Chicago event this October sets the stage for the second WUN conference, to be held in Leeds, England 10-11 December 2007 and then in Hangzhou, China in Spring 2008. "The meeting confirmed that there is a real need to develop policy to accelerate global entrepreneurship skills in universities," said Professor Richard Williams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise at the University of Leeds. "The outcome of the three workshops and advice from entrepreneurial leaders in US, UK and China will result in a key document with strategic funding future recommendations for consideration by national funding bodies."
Worldwide Universities
Press release Nov 2, 2007 - Kimberly Sugden
In a unique event, focused on an area of rapidly developing importance, the recent WUN Chicago Entrepreneurship Conference brought together over 130 top scholars from around the world to establish new research paradigms and shape education for the ever changing world of global entrepreneurship. The Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and the Worldwide Universities Network hosted this first conference in a series of entrepreneurial workshops with subsequent events already planned in Leeds and Zhejiang.
The Chicago conference served as a perfect forum to discuss three key themes of research interest: multi-disciplinary entrepreneurship education in universities, the role of entrepreneurship as a change agent in the global economy and the growing significance of social entrepreneurship to enhance or replace state support. A diverse array of fifty presentations sparked motivating dialogues, while inspiring delegates to showcase their innovative entrepreneurial programs; topics united the global Universities, as participants collaborated on methods to enrich educational experiences for all students, while generating a positive impact in their respective communities.
"The WUN Chicago conference demonstrated the interest in global issues related to entrepreneurship and the incredible energy created when you engage thought leaders from across the globe," said Anthony Mendes, the executive director of the Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership. "This was a unique opportunity to provide a venue where research and teaching in entrepreneurship could be discussed and new collaborations formed to advance the field. I look forward to the follow-up conferences at Leeds in the UK and in China and I know entrepreneurship education will be advanced through this international effort."
"Competitiveness and innovation are key issues of the 21st Century and underpin wide-ranging global challenges and opportunities," remarked David Pilsbury, president of the Worldwide Universities Network.. "Many governments worldwide are concerned to foster entrepreneurship. However, activities to support entrepreneurial approaches within universities are still emergent and there is little research globally on the enterprise process. Only by better understanding the key components of the enterprise and innovation will we be able to continue our rapid economic development."
The success of the Chicago event this October sets the stage for the second WUN conference, to be held in Leeds, England 10-11 December 2007 and then in Hangzhou, China in Spring 2008. "The meeting confirmed that there is a real need to develop policy to accelerate global entrepreneurship skills in universities," said Professor Richard Williams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise at the University of Leeds. "The outcome of the three workshops and advice from entrepreneurial leaders in US, UK and China will result in a key document with strategic funding future recommendations for consideration by national funding bodies."
