Boston University Wins Prestigious Award for Outstanding Contribution to Advance the Discipline of Entrepreneurship
For the second time, Boston University has been recognized by the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC) for its exceptional approach to teaching entrepreneurship with an award for "Outstanding Contribution to Advance the Discipline of Entrepreneurship.” ITEC was recognized for its set of programs and initiatives that promote entrepreneurial success, both within Boston University and in the community at large.
"Our ability to solve complex problems through the creation of sustainable and responsible enterprises is more important than ever in today’s world. Old models for new business formation need to be constantly challenged, refined, and in some cases replaced to be relevant in the current climate of global economic transformation. We are continuously developing new, innovative programs that combine state–of–art business practices with hands–on, real-world experiences and we are grateful to the GCEC for recognizing these ITEC programs," said Jonathan Rosen, ITEC Executive Director.
ITEC’s programs at Boston University have been developed in close collaboration with the University’s Office of Technology Development and include activities around the commercialization of Boston University technology, as well as working with companies in the BU incubators. The community outreach activities of ITEC include several global partnerships with international universities, as well as activities in and around Boston.
One example is Inner City Entrepreneurs (ICE), which provides a 9-month curriculum for established inner-city companies to develop a plan for business growth. The ICE program was launched at BU and ITEC continues to provide faculty and curriculum development, mentors, and advisory services. Boston University MBA students work with ICE participants to help the entrepreneurs identify key challenges and metrics for success and develop financial tools for their businesses. ICE recently received a grant from the US Small Business Administration to allow expansion to 10 new cities in 2008.
ITEC has made many other substantial contributions to advance the discipline of entrepreneurship, such as:
- Co–sponsoring the Forum for Social Entrepreneurship
- Hosting a highly lauded symposium that brought together investors and entrepreneurs from Boston and Silicon Valley
- Working with the Boston University Business Incubator to provide coursework to professionals and internships to students
- Supporting the Junior Achievement program in Boston
According to Peter Russo, Director of Entrepreneurship Programs at ITEC: "One common theme in all of our programs is that we strive to make a measurable difference, not just to the entrepreneurs we assist, but to the educational experience of the Boston University students that we involve in the process, as interns, advisors or researchers. Together we create a community of learning that we feel is truly unique."
In 2006 the GCEC recognized Boston University for "Excellence in Teaching Entrepreneurship and Pedagogical Innovation." The award highlighted the innovative approach to integrating entrepreneurship into undergraduate education at the Boston University School of Management, where all undergraduates are required to take a semester-long, inter–disciplinary course in which students identify an idea and write a business plan for that idea.
|