Promoting Entrepreneurial Education in Doctoral Programs: INVENTHEI’s Training for Innovation-Driven Research (2024)

Entrepreneurship Education (EE) plays a pivotal role in stimulating entrepreneurial performance and nurturing innovative ideas. Recognizing the essential role of doctoral programs within the education system, it becomes crucial for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to integrate EE into these programs. This study presents the development of the Training for Innovation Driven Research program, specifically designed for Ph.D. students in the early stages of their research trajectories. The methodologies used to train participants include design thinking and lean start-up, and draw on the EntreComp network. To assess the training program’s effectiveness, a comprehensive set of tools has been designed, The training program consists of 32 hours of courses and 18 hours of autonomous work, designed to assist researchers in transferring the results of their projects or Ph.D. thesis to society and to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among Ph.D. students and researchers. Evaluation tools include observation checklists for ongoing evaluation, rubrics for evaluating tangible products against basic criteria, and surveys with structured questionnaires to assess the impact of the programme on the target population. The proposed training model offers a framework for fostering innovation, adaptability, and creativity among doctoral students, underscoring the importance of learning-by-doing approaches in realizing the objectives of EE within the academic setting. The program is intended to provide researchers with the competencies needed to navigate and lead in complex, innovation-driven environments, and to strengthen the role of HEIs in the global knowledge society.