Lancaster University is taking part in the worldwide ‘Global Entrepreneurship Week’ which is to be held throughout Week Seven.
‘Global Entrepreneurship Week’ is an international event that includes many different programs aimed at improving the prospects of students interested in business, as well as providing a platform for those who would like to learn more about it.
The events will include the development of enterprising ideas, the possibility of learning new skills and help to inform and assist those interested in self employment and starting their own business. The university is also hosting individual workshops presented by those involved in business, ranging from career mentoring to insight into the music industry.
Create have organised several events on the Tuesday and the Wednesday of Week Seven to encourage budding entrepreneurs in many different ways. They will collaborate with those interested from fine art and IT to BBA and graduates.
The events will include a 3 day ‘flying start’ intensive course with mentors to help. “It’s a great opportunity to encourage those interested and excited [and] to get more students [involved],” said Lizzie Whatley from Create.
The events will be held on campus in seminar rooms and halls as well as Bailrigg House. Other events will take place in town at the Storey Institute and there will also be an excursion for women interested in business to the Houses of Parliament, focused on debating and networking.
LUVU has been involved in organising the enterprise week, including a program running on Wednesday called ‘Voltage.’ This hopes to provide information on organising events through the student union. They are also providing a new scheme with volunteering in schools and aiding students in setting up business aimed at helping the community.
“Students are encouraged to try something new,” says Sarah Hinton from LUVU, adding “this week is to encourage entrepreneurs and empowerment, a vital commodity in the current economical climate.”
The week has been organised with the purpose of improving the prospects of students and young people in an otherwise unstable economic climate. The organisers believe that the week can help provide necessary skills to individuals to make them stand apart. The university’s current graduate employment rate could also benefit from programs such as this.
The globally known event began in 2004 in the UK, originally called ‘Enterprise Week’. The event continued to grow, and has since gained acclaim from significant economical and business figures such as Sir Alan Sugar and Gordon Brown. Two of the largest entrepreneurial foundations in America (‘Make Your Mark’ and ‘Kauffman Foundation’) have taken this idea and founded the ‘Global Entrepreneurship Week,’ to take it to a global scale. This event last year included nearly 2500 events and 77 countries.
