Between the 15 and 21 November 2010, students at University of Malta joined millions of young people around the world to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship week (GEW). Now in its third year, this event is designed to connect aspiring and inspiring entrepreneurs, helping them embrace originality, imagination and ingenuity through local and global activities. GEW has grown exponentially since its inaugural event three years ago - this year, an estimated 10 million people participated in thousands of events held in 102 countries. The Maltese programme was coordinated by the National Hosts for GEW - The Edward de Bono Institute for the Design and Development of Thinking, University of Malta - and consisted of the following events.
1. Trip to Kordin Business Incubation Centre (KBIC)
For this first event, we teamed up with Degree Plus and Bank of Valletta to organise visits to the Kordin Business Incubation Centre (KBIC).
Students were taken on a tour of the KBIC premises where they learned about the facilities and services offered, and where they had the opportunity to network with the entrepreneurs based at this incubator.
Two visits were organised, both of which were free of charge:
Visit 1 - Wednesday 17 November from 12:00 - 14:00
This first visit was open to students enrolled on the DegreePlus Entrepreneurship Stream and was held during the Wednesday DegreePlus slot.
This second visit was open to a maximum of 60 other students enrolled on any course at the University of Malta on a first come first served basis.
Transport for both trips was organised from University to KBIC and back.
View photographs of the KBIC visits.
2. Blitz Entrepreneurship Game
The Blitz Entrepreneurship Game engaged students in simulating the creation of a company, building a great board game and selling it for millions of Euros.
Participants were introduced to entrepreneurship and team working in a time-pressured two hours. They were first given guidance on the principles of setting up a company and the key documents needed. After that, the students were plunged straight into a new product development scenario: the were required to develop a new board game and to bring it to market. They were shown three successful classic board games and given an introduction to the psychological principles of successful games design. Then they used these psychological principles and game examples to design and build their own prototype game (using card, coloured pens etc.). After that they set up their own company. Finally, each team pitched their game to all the participants and the participants voted on the best game. Each stage of the two hours was on a strictly timetabled basis: not only did the participants have to design and prototype a new game, they also had to complete all tasks, including setting up their company and pitching their game.
Through this session participants gained an understanding of the time pressured nature of setting up a new company and developing a new product.
This event was held on Friday 19 November from 12.00 to 14.00 at University of Malta. It was run by Dr. Greg Hale and was open to students registered for the Master in Creativity and Innovation, the M.Sc. in Strategic Innovation and Future Creation, and the Subsidiary Area in Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
View the photographs of the Blitz Game.
The main aim of the above activities was to interact, network, collaborate and share ideas - and to find out more about the support available and the skills required in today's competitive global scenario.
For more information on Global Entrepreneurship Week please visit the official GEW website or contact the events coordinator Leonie Baldacchino via email.