As part of a British Council initiative managed by NCEE (http://www.ncee.org.uk/) the University of Lincoln & the University of Venda collaborated on 25th October to deliver a roundtable discussion on the entrepreneurial university journey. Some of the key topics discussed were student enterprise, the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the role of community engagement. With over 100 people booked on to the event, it was encouraging to see such a high level of support for the subject matter.
Reece Leggett, our Student Enterprise Coordinator, who gave a presentation on Student Enterprise services had this to say about the event:
“It was a pleasure to be part of the NCEE roundtable with the University of Venda discussing the importance of student enterprise as part of the wider university entrepreneurial journey. In the entrepreneurial ecosystem, students and graduates play a critical role, so we must learn from colleagues around the world how best to support and nurture their start-up journeys. I am excited to see how the partnership between the University of Lincoln and the University of Venda will begin benefitting this students & graduates across both institutions.”
The roundtable discussion was part of an ongoing partnership between the University of Lincoln and the University of Venda to support the development of enterprise and entrepreneurship. The relationship aims both parties to share knowledge and good practice whilst challenging current offers and approaches.
We also spoke to Simon Lilley, Professor of Organisational Studies and Management within the Lincoln International Business School, who commented:
“It was a privilege to collaborate with colleagues from our enterprise team to highlight the excellent support we’re able to provide entrepreneurial students at Lincoln in a roundtable event with Venda University under the auspices of the South Africa – United Kingdom Entrepreneurial University Collaboration. There are clear commonalities in the circumstances our universities face and much we can learn from each other in how we help our students navigate it. Fascinating presentations from both sides clearly energised the over 100 delegates who signed up for the event, if the depth and breadth of questions we received are anything to go by and several further collaborations both with other UK universities involved in the scheme and our South African partners look likely to ensue”
We look forward to the continued development of the partnership, and are excited by the prospect of how it will enhance the student entrepreneurial experience at the University of Lincoln and the University of Venda.