REGION
The Study Programme that Has Educated
Thousands of Entrepreneurs Around
the World Is Coming to Silesian University
In the first year of their studies, students start their own company, to which they adapt their entire
studies and become team entrepreneurs. They will not be supported by teachers but by so-called 'team
coaches' who have undergone special international training. Instead of the usual oral or written exams,
the successful completion of your studies will yield a Bachelor's degree and the ability to independently
develop yourself and your business for the rest of your life.
Mr Šimek, when did the idea of creating a new study
programme in Innovative Entrepreneurship here
in the Czech Republic, specifically at the Silesian
University, come about?
It happened when we saw that it is realistic for something
so ‘innovative’ to pass the accreditation process and
also when we experienced how studying the Finnish
concept of Team Academy® turns students into team
entrepreneurs. At the university, we have long been trying
to find out how to make our studies more practical, how
to use modern teaching methods and how to properly
educate young entrepreneurs who do not want to sit at
desks and listen to theory in lectures. This is what drove us
to get accreditation for the three-year Bachelor's degree
programme in Innovative Entrepreneurship.
concept is the emphasis on taking responsibility for one's
own learning and business. Hand in hand with this goes
the freedom to decide what teams and projects they will
join, what ideas they will pursue, in which areas they will
move forward, etc.
On the difficult entrepreneurial journey, the team
entrepreneurs are accompanied by team coaches who
have undergone a year-long training programme directly
from the Finns. Team coaches create the conditions but
never lead them by the hand or take responsibility.
In the course of their studies, team entrepreneurs prepare
what is called an entrepreneurial portfolio, which they
defend in exams from individual subjects. There are no
written exams, but the real development of abilities and
achieved results are evaluated.
How is this programme unique and progressive?
In their first year, team entrepreneurs (another name
for students) set up a real business—a so-called team
company—and under this legal entity they work on
various business projects. They learn by doing (business).
They don't attend seminars or lectures but instead
practice so-called team learning. They meet twice a week
with team coaches for training sessions where they
share knowledge and experience, reflect together and
solve team and project issues. The theory is substituted
by a robust reading programme, where each team
entrepreneur has to read around sixty books of their own
choice over a period of three years, taking into account
the needs of the business or self-development. The key
Who is the study suitable for?
This programme is designed for anyone who sees that
entrepreneurship could be one of their possible future
paths. It is also for those who are not satisfied with the
current education system and expect something different
from university education.
How to apply?
Applications for the programme are open until 3 May.
Instead of an admissions test, candidates will write an essay
and there will be group work. You can find all the necessary
information at our website inovativnipodnikani.cz
Mr Šimek, thank you for the interview.
POSITIV
Text: redakce
Foto:
inovativni-podnikani.cz
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