The Teaching and Practice of Entrepreneurship within Canadian Higher Education Institutions

1. Introduction

Entrepreneurship has been established as a government priority. Over the last decade, government programs have promoted research and development (R&D) within the higher education sector to increase the production and development of new knowledge and the attraction and retention of world-class researchers. Taken together, R&D and new knowledge are entrepreneurial opportunities. As such, higher education institutions are in a position to play a significant role in developing an entrepreneurial advantage in Canada. Providing young potential entrepreneurs with appropriate skills and support is an important element in building a global competitive advantage.

Over time, the focus of entrepreneurship education has evolved beyond the original goal of venture creation to emphasize the development of entrepreneurial behaviours and skills. Attention has also been directed towards building both business skills and theoretical/strategic planning skills, along with the intent to deliver entrepreneurship education to various disciplines across campus.

To complement the role educational institutions play in driving innovation, higher education institutions will need to support business development to generate an adequate return on R&D efforts and investments.

In this regard, Industry Canada conducted a survey on entrepreneurship education across Canadian universities and colleges in line with the department's mandate to support and facilitate an entrepreneurial economy. The purpose of the survey was to identify the framework in which entrepreneurship education is delivered in Canada — an area where detailed aggregate information is largely absent — as well as how the option to be entrepreneurial is promoted and encouraged.