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Produce a new class of University graduates with the skills and passion to start new businesses.
• Initiate new revenue streams to the University by creating and commercialising intellectual property. • Assist in realising infrastructural modernisation and regional transformation through the development of knowledge economies. The objective then is to take those steps necessary to make The UWI more entrepreneurial. To achieve this goal, international best practice requires the creation of an entrepreneurial ecosystem across the University that would facilitate and promote the creativity and enterprise necessary for successful innovation and entrepreneurship among students and staff. Some of the strategies for realising this include: • Engaging staff and students in the generation of innovative ideas. •
The University has taken several steps, consistent with those outlined above, to establish an entrepreneurial ecosystem: 1. Presentations to all Faculty Boards within established in each Faculty. Each Committee will be the forum within a Faculty where staff and students can discuss ideas and programmes needed to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among staff and students. 2. Consultations with industry representatives (from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica thus far) in order to enable important inputs to the process of building out the entrepreneurial the University following which Faculty Entrepreneurial Committees have been ecosystem and nurturing a UWI-Industry partnership through continuing engagement. 3. Webinar presentations by successful entrepreneurs from other organisations that have helped to stimulate interest in the exercise. 4. Planning and introduction of courses and programmes on innovation and entrepreneurship. 5. Establishment of an Innovation Laboratory in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The UWI St. Augustine Campus with assistance from one major local company and one major international company. The laboratory will be working closely with these companies to develop and test advanced telecommunications products and services and to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among staff and students. Each of our five campuses has begun establishing facilities and services in support of innovation and entrepreneurship. This has led to a heightened interest in innovation and entrepreneurship among staff and students as demonstrated by an increased rate of invention disclosures at the University. These initiatives are encouraging as the University vigorously pursues this exciting programme of becoming more entrepreneurial. The expectation is that this transformative and far-reaching project will enable our institution to have an even more positive impact on the region in the years ahead.
Incorporating ideas relating to innovation and entrepreneurship in most academic programmes. Encouraging the establishment of small businesses by students as part of their curriculum. Exposing students to real-world business activities and education through internships and industry partnerships. Providing suitable and adequate resources to enable the development and eventual commercialisation of new ideas.
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• Developing a strong research capability with staff who are able to engage in industrial activity and not be unduly encumbered by teaching and research requirements such that industry requests can be successfully met. • Incorporating in the University’s staff evaluation systems recognition and rewards for successful engagement in innovative and entrepreneurial activity, thereby encouraging staff involvement. • Providing seed funds, incubator services, intellectual property services and venture capital support on each campus for product commercialisation.
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