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Entrepreneurship Development Programme

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The University of Technology Bahrain’s Entrepreneurship Development Programme empowers students with the skills, mentorship, and resources needed to launch successful ventures. Through workshops, seminars, and projects, UTB fosters entrepreneurial talent, driving innovation and economic growth.

Please share a brief background of your innovation.

 While it is a must for a university to provide entrepreneurship development training, particularly to its students in the fields of business, the University of Technology Bahrain’s (UTB) Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) stands out from its other academic initiatives as a beacon of innovation and entrepreneurial excellence. This initiative offers comprehensive training, expert mentorship, and vital resources, empowering students to create and launch successful business ventures. Through dynamic workshops, insightful seminars, and immersive hands-on projects, participants acquire essential skills in business planning, marketing, finance, teamwork and leadership. The programme’s success in incubating numerous startups highlights UTB’s unwavering dedication to cultivating the next generation of entrepreneurs and driving economic growth and innovation.

How was the innovation planned?

The Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) at the University of Technology Bahrain (UTB) was initially implemented as a course-level requirement for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in International Business and Bachelor of Science in Business Informatics programmes under the College of Administrative and Financial Sciences in mid-2023.   In the second edition of the programme, students enrolled in the entrepreneurship course have diverse backgrounds as some of them are working in companies while studying. Their business pitches are catchy and have the potential to attract the attention of the broader public based on their feasibility studies. Seeing this growth of interest from students, the college faculty, in collaboration with other academic departments, key university offices, and the external advisory boards for all programmes, conducted a thorough survey and study to identify the employability skills required by prospective employers in Bahrain and in the region. The college invited key speakers from prominent companies in Bahrain to conduct lectures and workshops for students to be inspired to turn their business ideas into viable business ventures. This initiative also led to UTB hosting the launch of the book “Accelerating Entrepreneurship,” co-authored by over 40 entrepreneurs and researchers from both within and outside Bahrain, including a UTB professor who chronicled the successes and challenges faced by entrepreneurs. The students greatly appreciated this effort, as it provided valuable opportunities for networking and collaboration with external individuals, groups, and organizations.  Approaching the third edition of the programme and building on the enhancements made in the second edition, students from other colleges, including those with engineering, computer science, and information technology projects, are increasingly motivated to participate. They have witnessed the significant impact of the changes implemented thus far, fostering a sense of excitement and anticipation among the student body. This internal collaboration has made the programme a highly anticipated event. Additionally, four outstanding student projects from the colleges, categorized as influencer-brand marketing, warehouse application, auto revolution hub, and academic support, were selected to be showcased during the opening ceremony of the ninth edition of Manama Entrepreneurship Week on April 21, 2024, at the Gulf Hotel. This prestigious event provided the students with invaluable exposure and the opportunity to present their innovative works to a broader audience.  The abovementioned enhancements, including the participation of students from all programmes and the integration of cutting-edge methodologies and resources, have strategically transformed the EDP as a course-level activity into a comprehensive, dynamic, and public initiative. On July 22, 2024, the EDP held its fourth edition, featuring the esteemed presence of Dr. Diana Al Jahrami, Secretary General of the Higher Education Council. Twelve potential startups were showcased, including ZajilTow, Reviewlink Pro, Memories Unboxed, Gold Master, Comfort Dreams, GasGO, DeliverNow, Saveat, Capsule Hotel, BlendWorks Café, Abayaty, and Everywhere Perfume. The event attracted a diverse audience, including industry experts, media representatives, the general public, and members of the UTB community and stakeholders. The program concluded with the recognition of the top-ranked projects, which excelled in the evaluation criteria and outperformed their peers. This recognition aims to inspire and encourage other students to initiate and innovate by learning from their peers’ success stories. Dr. Diana Al Jahrami praised UTB’s dedication to developing the entrepreneurial skills of its students, recognizing them as the cornerstone for achieving sustainable development. She emphasized that the program aligns with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s vision to enhance entrepreneurship and innovation, fundamental pillars for diversifying the national economy and achieving sustainable development. She also highlighted that these efforts contribute towards strengthening Bahrain’s position as a preferred destination for international students, entrepreneurs, and investors, opening promising horizons for a more prosperous future.  Several students who participated in the program have already taken significant steps toward establishing their business startups till now, leveraging the valuable networks and exposure gained through the programme. Incubating numerous startups underscores UTB’s unwavering dedication to cultivating the next generation of entrepreneurs and driving economic growth and innovation. The EDP not only has enhanced the academic experience for its participants but has also effectively prepared them to thrive in the real world by fostering a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Through continuous innovation, the programme is set to provide students with the required mentorship, guidance, and opportunities to turn their innovative ideas into successful ventures.

What were the challenges faced during implementation?

One significant challenge is ensuring that students understand the program’s depth and significance beyond being a mere course requirement. It was essential for students to realize that the EDP has been designed to maximize their potential by training them comprehensively in conducting feasibility studies, drafting business plans, implementing marketing strategies, and fostering continuous innovation for sustainability. To address this, UTB emphasizes the real-world applications and long-term benefits of the programme through motivational seminars, guest lectures from successful entrepreneurs, and interactive sessions that highlight the practical impact of entrepreneurial skills. Even after completing the programme, the students receive support to collaborate and seek sponsorship, ensuring their projects come to fruition before or after graduation and/or while employed. Another notable challenge is managing time constraints, as students are enrolled in the program in groups and often have differing schedules and availability. This disparity sometimes affected the timely completion of their projects. However, this challenge is turned into an opportunity to cultivate strong teamwork, collaboration and leadership skills among the students. Through encouraging effective communication, flexibility, and mutual support, they learn to navigate their differences and work cohesively towards common goals. Despite these challenges, the students consistently demonstrate resilience and creativity. They embrace the programme’s demands and produce innovative ideas and solutions within the stipulated timeframes. Their ability to adapt and collaborate effectively showcased the programme’s success in fostering entrepreneurial skills and essential life skills such as time management, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving. Overcoming these challenges has been a transformative experience for students, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to succeed in the entrepreneurial world, regardless of their field of study.

Give us a brief assessment of your results.

Overall, UTB’s EDP has seen remarkable progress in fostering entrepreneurship and supporting student ventures since its inception. With the recent completion of its fourth edition, the program has garnered notable feedback from students and external attendees for its effective pitching and incubation of business ideas, as well as its focus on practical skills development. Students have benefited from enhanced training in communication, teamwork, and leadership, bolstered by a supportive faculty and strong industry connections. The comprehensive training provided has contributed to the program’s success. Through ongoing assessment and refinement, the EDP innovates to amplify its impact and continue preparing students for entrepreneurial success.

In hindsight, what were the most valuable lessons learned while implementing the innovation? Could things have been done differently?

1.           Clear Communication

There is clear and consistent communication among all stakeholders. Ensuring that students, faculty, and external partners fully understand the objectives and expectations of the programme is crucial. This clarity aligns efforts and resources towards the common goal of fostering entrepreneurship among students.

2.           Flexibility and Adaptability

As the programme progresses, various unforeseen challenges are encountered. Adapting the programme to address these varying issues proved to be beneficial.

3.           Real-World Relevance

Incorporating real-world relevance into the curriculum is valuable. By involving industry experts and creating opportunities for students to engage in practical projects, the learning experience is enhanced, preparing students for the challenges of the entrepreneurial world.

4.           Impact of Collaboration

The EDP highlights the power of collaboration, both among students and with external partners. Encouraging teamwork and networking not only improves project outcomes but also helps students build essential soft skills.

5.           Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is evident. Gathering feedback from participants and stakeholders allows iterative improvements to the program. This ongoing refinement ensures that the EDP remains relevant and effective in meeting the evolving needs of our students and the entrepreneurial landscape.

EDP continues to innovate and better serve the needs of its students, fostering a thriving entrepreneurial experience by considering potential improvements in future editions of the programme – including enhanced pre-programme orientation, streamlined scheduling, increased industry engagement, additional support structures and evaluation and feedback mechanisms.

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