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

1/2022 ǀ 77