What is an Entrepreneurial University?
The concept behind the entrepreneurial university involves creating and exploiting opportunities and pursuing innovation in practice. It seeks the development of an institution which engages in activity “with the objective of improving regional or national economic performance as well as the university’s overall financial advantage”.

 Why is this a preferred model?
One of the potentials of a university- for a national university like UTT in particular- is the meeting place of academia and national needs. The entrepreneurial university emphasises relevance- relevance to industry, the community and the economy. Problems are encouraged to be seen as opportunities and this mentality energises students and faculty around a common mission or goal. More time is spent developing an environment that thrives on problem solving, celebrates risk taking and accepts a certain amount of failure as a necessary component of the learning process

What is the link between the Entrepreneurial University and the community?
The Entrepreneurial University is geared towards partnering with the community to solve problems and identify opportunities. Thus the academia is geared not only towards making contributions toward an academic discipline but to society as well. In this way the barriers separating research and development are broken down and each informs the other.

 What should be taught?
Aside from the student’s specific area of study, there should be 1) systematic provision of services in relation to business and management and 2) action research to explore the practical application of techniques. Furthermore, emphasis should be placed on new venture creation, business growth and business planning.

What are the desired entrepreneurial outcomes of the Entrepreneurial University?
The desired outcomes include the facilitation of entrepreneurial behaviours and skills, empathy with the entrepreneurial life, embedded entrepreneurial values, motivations to entrepreneurial careers/lives, understanding venture creation processes, developing generic entrepreneurial competencies and business ‘how-to’s and the creation of relationship networking skills.  

What is the link between the Entrepreneurial University and research?
Entrepreneurial Universities are indeed engaged in research. How it emphasises and encourages research that engages with the outside world- confronting problems and coming up with viable solutions. Hence it is research with a focus on relevance and nation building.

How is it achieved?
Entrepreneurship is fostered in many ways. These include the creation of an atmosphere of innovation from faculty and staff, the formation of linkages with industry and the wider community and understanding needs of both, and facilitating creativity, problem-solving and the creation of small businesses.

What are some examples of Entrepreneurial Universities?
Examples of Entrepreneurial Universities include University of Waterloo and the University of Illinois. However, there are varying degrees to which Universities inculcate entrepreneurship into their curriculum and overall vision.