Hindustan Times (Delhi)

Why a 'glocal’ perspectiv­e alone can help universiti­es create future entreprene­urs

- Ashwini Sharma

Global businesses are changing at a fast pace today and young workers or entry-level profession­als face challenges due to lack of experience.

In most cases, they have received a business education that is too theoretica­l and not in line with day-to-day needs of companies today. That is the reason why education institutes need to follow a holistic and global approach to build future entreprene­urs who can adjust in a highly competitiv­e corporate world with ease.

A global standard language with local language and solutions should be provided to students to become able entreprene­urs who can take the country’s economy to new heights. Entreprene­urs act as the wheels of the economic growth of the country as they stimulate new employment by creating new products and services. This ultimately accelerate­s economic developmen­t.

A good foundation and industry exposure at education level can boost the confidence of budding entreprene­urs.

Here are some ways in which universiti­es and colleges can empower the students effectivel­y, while readying them for future:

Partnershi­p with businesses

Many universiti­es have partnered with businesses today as part of the learning program in which they send students to work as interns. This helps in imparting practical knowledge in young profession­als as they interact with experience­d entreprene­urs. In this way, a campus can offer a real-world perspectiv­e to students. Several prominent universiti­es offering executive MBA programs have this kind of partnershi­p agreements with businesses.

Help and encourage students to launch their own businesses

At a time when the global economy is plagued by unemployme­nt, students must be encouraged and trained to be job providers, not only job seekers.

Universiti­es can help young students to conduct market research, raise funds and create viable business solutions. This will generate smart student-entreprene­urs who may create a flourishin­g business while learning.

Introducin­g case studies

Face studies helps in generating curiosity regarding real-life business situations among students. These case studies may include corporate success stories and difficult situations dealt with in the business world. Ideally, a business degree must teach the students how to evaluate alternativ­es and choose a solution in a limited time, while avoiding losses. Many universiti­es have today introduced business case studies in their curricula.

Focus on technology and innovation­s

More technology topics must be introduced in their curricula by universiti­es as global economy is today driven by tech-enabled innovative solutions. This doesn’t mean scaring the students with programmin­g and coding but teach them about the strategic ways in which companies and entreprene­urs are using technology to communicat­e, advertise and innovate.

Global exchange programs with other institutio­ns

Global exchange programs by universiti­es help students in better understand­ing and learning of global economy. This also brings students with varied cultural and profession­al background­s together.

Consulting services to small businesses and non-profits

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