02 July, 2021

MTU’s Enterprise Camp 2021 took part online from the 28th of June to the 2nd of July. The camp was sponsored by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and MTU's School of Business. The Camp, which usually takes place on campus, aims to provide a creative, innovative and inspirational environment for students to build their creative confidence and to explore their entrepreneurial potential.

This year, the Camp focused particularly on addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), where we had many guest speakers talking about the importance of these goals and the ways in which we can be socially entrepreneurial when addressing these matters.

Dr. Breda Kenny, Head, School of Business, initiated the weeks proceedings, welcoming all students. Guest speakers from Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, Foróige and MTU staff spoke about the main focus of this years Camp - the SDG’s. Stephanie Barry-Woods, Cleide Hearn and Padraig O’Connell as well as MTU graduate Muriel Foley, joined us to inspire the students with their own entrepreneurial journey. The diversity of presenters provided great interest and interaction for the students with additional presentations from Bishopstown Credit Union on financial supports, The Rubicon Centre speaking about business start-up support and Blackrock Castle Observatory explaining about entrepreneurial opportunities in the space sector.

This year, we had a record number of students wishing to participate in the programme. There were 49 successful students from 23 schools who took part from areas all over Cork City and County. Both male and female students took part, ranging in age from 13 to 18 years old.

These multi-disciplinary teams worked together online in their teams to solve business and environmental issues. Teams were tasked with solving a business issue from WorkVivo on how to effectively communicate that their business model is sustainable. Secondly, teams were tasked with creating a business idea that addressed one or more of the SDG’s. The standard of work produced by the teams was extremely high with prizes given to the best WorkVivo solution, Best Presentation and best SDG Business Idea on the final day. Students competed for prizes all week long, winning MTU hoodies and a Ballymaloe Relish hamper for an “escape room” challenge. All participants also received a goodies bag with sponsored goodies from Barry’’s Tea, Ballymaloe Relish, Bishopstown Credit Union, MTU and WorkVivo.

On the final day of the Camp, Prof. Maggie Cusack, President of MTU, and Gerard O'Donovan, Head of Faculty of Business and Humanities, officiated the closing ceremony where the following individuals excelled and were awarded in each of the categories.

Winners - WorkVivo Task:

• Brian O'Sullivan – Christian Brother College
• Jonathan Walsh – Christian Brother College
• Tiernan Connell – CBS Midleton
• Colm Cowhig – CBS Midelton
• Amelia Krzeminska – Christ King Secondary School

Winners - Best Presentation:

• Ailíse Barry - St Mary’s High School Midleton
• Róisín Myers - St Marys Secondary School Mallow
• Holly Sheridan - St. Anne's Community College Killaloe
• Emily Williams - St. Mary's Convent Macroom
• Sam O'Brien - St. Peters, Passage West

Winners - Best SDG Business Idea:

• Paddy Egan - Coláiste Choilm
• Sam O'Sullivan - Coláiste Choilm
• Sean O'Connell - Coláiste Choilm
• Dascha Gleeson - Coláiste Choilm
• Maria Barry-Murphy - Coláiste Choilm

Feedback from the parents and students was very positive. Students mostly enjoyed the varied schedule, guest speakers and challenges. Parents enjoyed the thought-provoking activities with many parents saying their child “thoroughly enjoyed” the Camp with one parent adding “It is great preparation for business at senior level. It is a great opportunity for them and will give them confidence going forward.”

Next year we hope to welcome students back to MTU campus for the Enterprise Camp 2022.