More than 25 second-level students from schools across Limerick attended University of Limerick this week to take part in the inaugural Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation Camp.
The Nexus Innovation Centre and Kemmy Business School jointly deliver the camp which aims to create a student mindset that is solution focused, providing knowledge and skills to design innovative solutions that result in new business opportunities.
This five-day programme, which began on Monday, was delivered in an engaging and creative way through workshops, role playing, company visits and entrepreneur guest speakers developing skills in team work, communication, project management and design thinking.
As well as this, students get the chance to practice their knowledge in purpose-built studios, workshops and computer labs and receive feedback from experienced mentors. The camp is also an opportunity for second-level students to experience life on a higher-education campus.
Speaking at the camp Briga Hynes, Lecturer in Entrepreneurship at UL said: “KBS was delighted to partner with Nexus on this exciting initiative which very much aligns with the entrepreneurial ethos of the school. Briga added that there is a wealth of innovative thinking among our bright student population and programmes such as this bootcamp are central in unleashing the entrepreneurial potential and capability of students at an early age to cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurs. We hope this programme has played a part in instilling that entrepreneurial mindset in students and their start-up journey”.
The bootcamp is supported by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills as part of investment of €250,000 to provide nearly 1,000 students initiatives that stimulate creativity, innovation and design skills among students.