Call for Applications: African Development Bank (AfDB)’s Training Workshop to Enhance Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Higher Education Institutions

Are you a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in Africa looking to strengthen or launch your innovation or entrepreneurship initiative?

This is your opportunity to make it happen through a comprehensive training workshop! This initiative, led by the African Development Bank (AfDB)’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab (The Lab), is funded by the European Commission and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The project, titled “Leveraging Research, STEM, Business Management and Training Capabilities of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Research Centres for Strengthening Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem,” aims to enhance the enterprise-support activities of African HEIs by sharing best practices and successes within the African ecosystem and fostering collaboration across various regions of the continent.

Details of the Training Workshop Initiative

The training workshop, organized by the African Development Bank (AfDB) through its Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab, is designed to empower Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and research centers across Africa. Here are the key components and objectives of the initiative:

Objectives

1. Enhancing Enterprise Support:

• The workshop aims to improve the capacity of African HEIs to support entrepreneurship and innovation by sharing effective practices and strategies.

1. Fostering Collaboration:

• By encouraging partnerships and collaboration between institutions across various African regions, the initiative seeks to create a more integrated innovation ecosystem.

1. Leveraging Research and STEM:

• The focus is on utilizing research capabilities and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education to drive business management and innovation.

1. Building Capacity:

• Training sessions will provide participants with skills and knowledge to enhance their roles in fostering entrepreneurship within their institutions and communities.

Key Features

• Workshops and Training Sessions:
• Interactive sessions will cover topics such as innovation management, business model development, and the commercialization of research.
• Best Practices Sharing:
• Participants will have the opportunity to learn from successful initiatives and case studies within the African context.
• Networking Opportunities:
• The workshop will facilitate networking among participants, allowing them to build connections that can lead to future collaborations.
• Target Audience:
• The initiative is aimed at faculty members, researchers, and administrators from HEIs and research centers focused on innovation and entrepreneurship.

Funding and Support

• Financial Backing:
• The initiative is funded by the European Commission and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), highlighting the importance of international collaboration in supporting Africa’s development.

Expected Outcomes

• Strengthened Ecosystem:
• By enhancing the capabilities of HEIs, the initiative aims to strengthen the overall innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Africa.
• Increased Entrepreneurial Activities:
• The project is expected to lead to increased entrepreneurial initiatives within universities and research centers, ultimately contributing to economic growth.
• Sustainable Partnerships:
• Long-term partnerships between institutions are anticipated, which will foster ongoing collaboration and innovation.

Call to Action

This training workshop represents a significant effort to leverage the resources and expertise of African HEIs and research centers to drive innovation and entrepreneurship on the continent. By focusing on collaboration and capacity building, the initiative seeks to create a vibrant ecosystem that supports sustainable economic development across Africa.

APPLY HERE

Application close on 27 October 2024

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