University of Turku Strengthens Entrepreneurship Education in All Its Faculties
The multidisciplinary University of Turku has a great starting point for profiling as a university for entrepreneurship, where the students and staff think and act along the principles of entrepreneurship.
The University of Turku has begun to strengthen an develop entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education in all the faculties. Entrepreneurship education is in the key role as it offers a way to increase knowledge about entrepreneurship and open up new opportunities.
The University of Turku educates professionals and entrepreneurial spirit is needed in expert positions whether you are an entrepreneur or a wage earner.
– Entrepreneurial thinking can create new operation models, service models and resources or spark a startup company. It is essential to understand that entrepreneurship is not limited to working as an entrepreneur. The working life is calling for academic professionals and experts who are willing to break boundaries and try something new, says Professor of Entrepreneurship Jaana Heinonen who leads the development work.
The University of Turku has for a long time purposefully developed entrepreneurship education and research.
– At the moment, the University of Turku is the only Finnish-language university where students complete both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in entrepreneurship. As a multidisciplinary university, we have a unique chance for profiling as a university for entrepreneurship and be part of creating a new entrepreneurial culture to Finland. Co-operation between the faculties is a key factor and by developing it we can create common forums for the students, researchers and teachers of different fields, says Rector Kalervo Väänänen.
Increasing the Reach of Entrepreneurship Education
The University has mapped out the courses which prepare the students for entrepreneurship or entrepreneurial activities. These include, for example, problem-based learning, innovating, self-directed learning and contents that are indirectly linked to entrepreneurship.
Increasing the awareness about entrepreneurship involves both students and staff. The target group includes the majority of the University community.
– New ideas arise more naturally the more entrepreneurial the thinking model is. It is possible that we can diversify the conception of entrepreneurship and increase its areas of application in the research, education and the societal interaction of the University, says Jarna Heinonen.
Text: JM
Photo: Hanna Oksanen
Translation: Mari Ratia