Money, Independence and Environmental Concerns are Key Drivers Behind Students Entrepreneurial Ambitions
LONDON / ACCESSWIRE / April 5, 2019 / A new report, Inspiring Entrepreneurship in Education, was launched last night (Thursday 4 April) by The National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education (NCEE) and ACS International Schools.
Presenting research conducted amongst university Heads of Enterprise, the report reveals:
The key drivers behind students' ambitions to be entrepreneurial nowadays are:
- to make money, 61 per cent;
- to be independent, 60 per cent;
- to save the planet, reduce pollution or waste, 53 per cent;
- to help others, 37 per cent;
- to be a pioneer, 26 per cent;
- to be famous, 13 per cent;
- increased activity to support enterprise and entrepreneurship;
- 64 per cent of universities report increased interest in entrepreneurship from new students;
- external engagement and activities with schools and communities has fallen by 44 per cent and 40 per cent respectively;
- 50 per cent of universities report a fall in professional development for staff;
- 73 per cent of universities who took part say school pressure to pass exams has a negative impact on entrepreneurial skills or competencies; 65 per cent narrowing of subject choices;
- 64 per cent say exposure to different nationalities and cultures at school has a highly beneficial effect on entrepreneurial outlook when students arrive at university.
"Today's students are genuinely enthusiastic about being entrepreneurs. They know entrepreneurship isn't easy, but they have energy and determination, and they want to do something they believe in, and for which they take responsibility. This bodes well for all our futures."
Fergus Rose, Advancement Director at ACS International Schools said:
"Young people possess an urgency and interest for change that we should be harnessing. Solving complex environmental problems is a great way to inspire interest in STEM subjects, making the learning real and exciting.
"Art, music and languages all support creative thinking and self-expression, so crucial to entrepreneurial initiative and innovation, and the creative industries are huge job markets in their own right too. We must all ensure that these subjects are not squeezed out of education."
Ian Dunn, Chair of the NCEE and Provost of Coventry University, noted for its support for entrepreneurship, said:
"For universities to be truly successful we must prepare our students and staff for the future - to adapt to a changing environment and to be innovative and creative in outlook. We should continue to invest in enterprise and entrepreneurship so it remains foremost in how we teach and run our universities."
About Us
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Note to journalists
Inspiring Entrepreneurship in Education: the research, a joint collaboration between ACS International Schools and the Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education (NCEE), was conducted by online questionnaire amongst a sample of 62 Heads of Enterprise in universities across England (46), Scotland (9), Wales (6), and Northern Ireland (1). Fieldwork was undertaken in April and May 2018.
All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Entrepreneurship was established to encourage, support and promote entrepreneurship, and ensure parliament is kept up-to-date on what is needed to create and sustain the most favourable conditions for entrepreneurship.
The National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education (NCEE) supports higher education to build its entrepreneurial future. It supports organisations to develop their entrepreneurial capacity - providing a range of services to universities, and their senior leadership and practitioners - to ensure UK higher education remains at the forefront of enterprise and entrepreneurship.
ACS International Schools was founded in 1967 to serve the needs of global and local families and educates over 3,700 students, aged 2 to 18, day and boarding, from more than 100 countries. Its schools - 3 in Greater London and 1 in Doha, Qatar - are all non-sectarian and co-educational.
ACS is a registered UK charity (1179820) and undertakes a wide number of programmes to further its charitable aim to advance education, including partnerships with other organisations and offering financially assisted places to students who otherwise would be unable to attend ACS schools.
For further information
Graham Smith / Jessica Friend Bartlett
Twelve Comms Ltd
E: [email protected]
T: 01608 495012
Links
https://ncee.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/NCEE-Inspiring-Entrepreneurship-in-Education-2018.pdf
SOURCE: National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education; ACS International Schools; All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Entrepreneurship