01 April, 2023

The Hincks Centre for Entrepreneurship Excellence has officially unveiled its newly updated training programme, “Fostering Excellence in Research-Led Entrepreneurship Education”. Backed by funding from the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, the initiative marks a significant leap forward in how entrepreneurial mindsets are cultivated within Higher Education.

The programme is an evolution of the 2017 "Entrepreneurship Education for Educators" badge. It specifically targets educators of STEAM disciplines to staff supporting student startups, equipping them with research-backed strategies to navigate today’s shifting socio-economic landscape.

The core mission of the course is to move beyond theory and into "excellence." By focusing on the latest academic and grey literature, the programme guides educators toward the most effective teaching and assessment methods currently available.

Recognising the demanding schedules of higher education staff, the programme features  a self-paced online structure. Over a six-week period (running from April 14th to May 19th 2023), participants engage with:

• Multimedia Content: A curated series of videos and interactive activities.
• Peer Triads: A unique collaborative model where participants meet in small groups to reflect, share experiences, and solve pedagogical challenges.
• Collaborative Sessions: Live sessions covering everything from the "What, Why, and How" of the field to critical deep dives into Responsible Entrepreneurship and Sustainability.

Upon completion of the 25-hour commitment, successful participants earn a Nationally Recognised Digital Badge issued by Munster Technological University (MTU). This credential serves as a formal marker of their ability to incorporate entrepreneurial competencies into diverse curricula and implement robust evaluation strategies.

Beyond the badge, the programme acts as a gateway to a broader community. Participants are invited to join CEEN (Campus Entrepreneurship Enterprise Network), the Irish national network dedicated to promoting enterprise in Higher Education, ensuring that the networking started in the "Peer Triads" continues long after the course ends.