Fostering Technology Entrepreneurship in Nigerian Universities
Technology and innovation are driving many economies in no small measure.
According to the Journal for Sustainable Development (vol. 4 no. 6, December 2011) entrepreneurship generally and technological entrepreneurship in particular are now considered as the engine for economic development.
Most developed and emerging economies and developing countries have adopted Technology Business Incubation to fast-track the creation of new technology-based enterprises because of its more than 80% success rate of new venture creation, and have consequently benefited from its multiplier effects such as technology/knowledge transfer, employment generation and wealth creation. Technology-driven and knowledge-based developments not only exhibit tremendous business potential, but also offer a range of innovative applications beneficial to various sectors of the society
So for Africa especially Nigeria to solve her high rate of youth unemployment and to build a great economic backbone for the future, entrepreneurship education should be part of the university curriculum. The strength of our youths in the Nigerian universities should be channeled towards Technology Entrepreneurship.
Understanding that the tri-angle of innovation around the world is held together by the cooperative endeavor of the Government, the Academic Community, and the Technology Industry is key to the success of building a tech entrepreneurship ecosystem in Nigeria.
A deficiency or disconnect in any of these key drivers of innovation will definitely bring an imbalance in the innovation ecosystem. This makes the role of the academic community in driving innovation very critical; many nations are maximizing their ivory towers by creating superb technology institutes and centres focused at grooming a generation of innovators for the future.
The importance of this collaboration of the academy, the industry and government is crucial for creating a fostering entrepreneurial eco-system. The industry funding experience and networking; the academy human resources and R&D capabilities; and the government policy – all combined together creates an effective way of promoting and developing business, education and technology for a successful entrepreneurial eco-system. This type of collaboration is non-existent in Nigeria and that is a major problem hindering innovation.
Having identified this, the 4th Education Network Conference- EduNet 2014 which will be hosted by the ICT Centre of Obafemi Awolowo University and the Institute for Entrepreneurship Development Studies (IFEDS) of Obafemi Awolowo University Nigeria in collaboration with Tel Aviv University Entrepreneurship Centre (StarTAU), Israel.
With the Theme: Fostering Technology Entrepreneurship in Nigerian Universities
Date: May 20-22, 2014
Venue: Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
The three day event will look at issues around building Technology Entrepreneurship Ecosystem within the Nigerian University Community with key examples from the Israel Technology and Innovation Ecosystem.
Oren Simanian, Founder of Tel Aviv University Entrepreneurship Centre and his team from Israel will lead discussions on How Nigeria can create Technology Entrepreneurship Ecosystem with lessons from Israel (the Start-up Nation).
Presentations and Panel discussions will be focused on the following:
-Accessing the state of Technology Entrepreneurship in Nigerian universities with a view of proffering strategies and solutions for Technnovation in Nigeria.
-How to Build Entrepreneurial and Innovation Ecosystems with key lessons from Israel Tech ecosystem
-The role of government and the Nigerian Universities Commission in fostering Technology Entrepreneurship in Nigerian Universities.
-Private sector support in Building Technology Entrepreneurship/Innovation Centres in Nigerian Universities
-IT and Telecom Infrastructure as key to fostering Technology and Innovation in Nigerian Universities (Building and Equipping of Innovation centres, Research Labs, Broadband Infrastructure as an enabler)
-The World Bank as a strategic partner in Entrepreneurship Development in Nigerian Universities
-Funding/Financing as key to the success of Technology Entrepreneurship. (Early Stage financing, Mid stage financing and Later Stage financing)
-Skills and Talent Development for Entrepreneurs
-Legislation, Policy and administrative issues around Entrepreneurship in Nigeria
-The concept of Technology Incubation and acceleration as major ingredient in growing entrepreneurship
-How to Create an Entrepreneurial University.
-Technology transfer and commercialization
-Developing partnership and collaboration as key to the success of Technology Entrepreneurship in Nigerian Universities.
-Motivation for Techpreneurs (Success stories of leading Technology Entrepreneurs in Nigeria)
-Business Advisory Support for Entrepreneurs
-Start Up Nigeria: From the Pitch to Turning Ideas into profitable Ventures: What it takes to build a successful Tech business in Nigeria.
For more details on this conference set to drive Technology Entrepreneurship in Nigerian Universities visit www.edunetconference.com
