DkIT Launches New Entrepreneurship Lecture Series 2017
13 October 2017The School of Business & Humanities at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), is delighted to launch its Entrepreneurship Guest Lecture Series 2017, an exciting programme of guest lectures and panel discussions from leading academics in the field as well as dynamic entrepreneurs.
The lecture series is for DkIT students from all disciplines and is also open to the general public. It is an opportunity to listen to individuals and their entrepreneurial journeys as they detail their successes, failures, and any lessons they have learned along the way. It is provides a forum for students to explore entrepreneurship as a viable career option, not to mention a great opportunity for them to network.
The first guest lecture was delivered by DkIT Social Care graduate Mark McCormack who spoke about his experience as founder of a new social enterprise, Create The Great In You which is focused on youth empowerment among transition year and leaving certificate students. This was followed by a discussion by business and a social entrepreneur, Chris Gordon who is CEO of the Irish Social Enterprise Network and BCorp Ireland. Chris showcased social entrepreneurship and gave students more insight into the skills required to start a career in this area.
Speaking after the lecture he said “In today’s rapidly changing workplace, young people need to be able to adapt and respond quickly to change. Core skills such as communication, project management and leadership are more important than ever before to enable them to navigate effectively. Research shows a growing trend among young people today to work for organisations that are socially responsible. It is therefore important that students carefully consider career opportunities in working for profit-seeking enterprises that deliver positive social impact.”
The lecture series is part of DkIT’s continued strategy to introduce students from all backgrounds to enterprise learning environments to help nurture desirable graduate attributes such as creativity, critical thinking, teamwork and of entrepreneurship. In 2016, DkIT was identified by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as one of leading institutes in Ireland for embedding entrepreneurship in higher education and featured in a published case study of best practice. More recently DkIT was named national winner of the European Enterprise Promotion Awards 2017 for its development of the BSc. (Hons) in Engineering Entrepreneurship programme.
DkIT Lecturer in Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation, Angela Hamouda led the organisation of the Guest Lecture series, speaking today she said:
“I am delighted to welcome such esteemed entrepreneurs and leading academics to participate in our lecture series. We have a vibrant programme of speakers from a variety of backgrounds and wide ranging topics from social entrepreneurship to family business. I am confident that our students will be inspired and learn from these shared experiences as they plan and consider their future careers.”
Upcoming lectures this semester include:
‘Changing Views on Entrepreneurship and implications for policy and practice’, by Simon Bridge, Thursday 19 October, 2017
‘Family Business’, by Dr Naomi Birdthistle, Thursday 19 October, 2017 – To be confirmed
‘Minority Entrepreneurship’, by Professor Thomas Cooney, Thursday 7th December.
This will be followed by a continued series in Semester 2. If you are interested in attending any of these events, please contact Angela Hamouda (Angela.Hamouda@dkit.ie).
