2008 Occasional Papers - AUK

In short, Mount Allison students have a number of diverseopportunities to gain exposure to entrepreneurshipknowledge in the classroom, as well as opportunitiesto develop skills and behaviors through actual businessventures and case competitions. In a very real sensethe development of these entrepreneurial activities isentrepreneurial in itself, in that faculty saw opportunities,students and collaborators rose to the challenge, andexciting and productive ventures emerged. The capacityfor this activity developed naturally (incubated, if youwill) within the hopper of the Commerce Departmentwith the addition of new faculty, capable students, andinterested community and university partners.Going to the Next Level of GrowthThe Commerce Department has already demonstratedthe capacity to foster interest and productivity inentrepreneurial activity. The present capacity level willlikely continue, but it is probably near capping due tocompeting academic interests, university processes, thesmall number of faculty involved and limited resources.Nevertheless, it is natural to look to the CommerceDepartment to play a leadership role in cultivating anentrepreneurial orientation within the department, acrossother disciplines, and within the larger community.The next level of growth will need a dedicated,resource-based focus on entrepreneurship. This recastingwill require some restructuring of the Commerce program,focused commitment of faculty members, directed energy,funding beyond “normal” operations, and communicationabout this activity within and outside the Universitywith business and government partners. The goal is toadvance the reputation of Mount Allison University inentrepreneurship with a respected, sustainable approach.The Commerce Department can provide leadershipthrough contributions to curriculum development, thescholarship of teaching entrepreneurship (i.e., pedagogyof entrepreneurship), and service to the larger communityin collaboration with business and government bodies.Leadership will be based on the strengths and the trackrecord of faculty members, the Department’s interestin experiential learning, the support of alumni, and theon-going opportunity to engage motivated, full-timeundergraduate students.To go to the next level of growth (to expand capacity),the Department proposes that the following to beimplemented in two phases:Phase I:• Direct entrepreneurship at Mount Allison Universityfrom within the Commerce Department. Include thedevelopment of innovative pedagogy and appliedresearch in the mandate. Pursue a niche in experientialeducation in the entrepreneurship area, e.g., Financinginnovation and innovation in the performing and finearts sectors. (These two areas of interest exist already inthe Department.)o Mechanisms: Appoint a Director of the DobsonProgram in Entrepreneurship with the mandate todirect and monitor entrepreneurial education. TheDirector will oversee the program and work with theProgram Manager to implement the program components.o Appoint a [Named] Chair of Entrepreneurship withthe mandate to foster and contribute to pedagogicaldevelopment and research in the area of entrepreneurship.o Hire a full-time Program Manager to handle the details ofprogram implementation, including working withstudents on the components of the program.• Develop existing courses in entrepreneurship, such asComm 2361 Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Comm3361 Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation,and new courses, such as Financing of Innovation,Special Topics courses and capstone courses.o Mechanisms: Curriculum development within the program.o Build sustainable tutoring infrastructure for Comm1001 Introduction to Business to support entrepreneurialcomponents in this highly subscribed course.• Develop teaching linkages with other departments atthe University in the arts, science, Music and FineArts, and with the McCain Fellow during 2006-2007.o Mechanisms: Develop course modules on variousaspects of entrepreneurship which can be adaptedacross departments and programs. These interdisciplinarymodules may be student-led and co-developed withfaculty from other disciplines.• Continue to provide stipendiary support for coursesin entrepreneurship.• Continue with micro-lending project.o Mechanisms: As established by the Dobson Centre.• Continue with the Nicol Business Plan Competition.• Set up a web site.37