Page 105 - guidance-supporting-europe-s-aspiring-entrepreneurs-policy-and-practice-to-harness-future-potential

Guidance supporting Europe’s aspiring entrepreneurs
Policy and practice to harness future potential

Example 17. Entrepreneurs’ Club, University of Navarra
The University of Navarra, in the city of Pamplona, Spain, has a strong interest in developing
entrepreneurial spirit among its students. The ethos of the university is to create employers (and not
only employees). The commitment to the development of future entrepreneurs is demonstrated by
the establishment of the Entrepreneurs’ Club (Club de Emprendedores). The Club, established in
2006, is for students interested in developing their business careers. The Club offers activities for
students ranging from work placements and opportunities to network and meet entrepreneurs, to
entrepreneurship training.
To ensure that all students are aware of the entrepreneurship training and other activities of
the club, various methods are used to advertise its activities. First, all students are sent a letter
inviting them to join the club at the start of the academic year. Social networking sites such as
Facebook, Tuenti, Club Blog, YouTube and LinkedIn are used to promote the activities. Training
activities are also advertised in the weekly university newsletter, and displayed on TV screens
across the university campus. The university radio also has a weekly time-slot for the club to
promote and discuss its activities. Assigned club members in each faculty promote the activities in
lectures and tutor groups, and former participants of entrepreneurship courses and the alumni
association of the club spread information about the courses through word-of-mouth. The club also
has a stand during open days and other welcoming events for new students to introduce its
activities.
While all faculties are involved in promoting the activities of the club, students from the
communication, economy, engineering and law faculties most frequently join it.

4.1.4. Awareness-raising activities
The lack of exposure to entrepreneurship as a viable career option can be a
barrier to participation in entrepreneurship education. Chapter 2.3 showed that a
high percentage of people have never considered building a career around their
own business venture. The surveys carried out among European policy-makers
and guidance practitioners also confirmed these findings; respondents were
asked to estimate the proportion of HE students in their country who express an
interest in becoming an entrepreneur. The majority of those who answered (12
out of 15) stated that less than a quarter of students were interested in becoming
an entrepreneur. It is important that HEIs find ways of raising awareness and
thereby generating motivation to take up learning in this field.
Our research shows that events, such as entrepreneurship days and weeks,
are one of the main channels through which HEIs disseminate key messages
regarding entrepreneurship education. Such events are sometimes organised
directly by individual HEIs and on other occasions they are developed in
partnership with other stakeholders such as the ministry of education, local
communities or the private sector. In Iceland, the Ministry of Education organises
four annual events on entrepreneurship, targeting students in secondary and
higher education. ‘Make it happen’ is a UK public/private initiative sponsored by
universities, national business support service (Business Link) and one of the
leading banks (HSBC). As part of the initiative, a roadshow is organised every

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