INTRABUILD
- Business and Entrepreneurship, Capacity Building
INTRABUILD- Cultivating Academic Intrapreneurship in Western Balkans
Funding Programme
Erasmus + Capacity Building
Project Number
101177167
Duration
24 Months
Overall Budget
399,983 EUR
Countries
Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Austria
INTRABUILD
The project aims to create a transformative and inclusive internal culture within universities that fosters intrapreneurship among all its actors, which can further promote innovation and link the university with external entrepreneurial activities. Cultivation of characteristics of intrapreneurship in academia, the concept of the intrapreneurial university emerges as a compelling avenue for innovation and entrepreneurship. By instilling intrapreneurial skills, the project seeks to stimulate a culture that encourages individuals within the university to think creatively, take initiative, and pursue innovative ideas. This cultural transformation is expected to go beyond traditional academic boundaries and extend to all actors at different levels and different disciplines, including students, faculty, administrators, and staff. The project will nurture intrapreneurs (employee who has the ability to turn ideas into businesses or innovations4 and intrapreneurial behavior (also referred to as entrepreneurial orientation, by three aspects: a set of innovative, proactive and risk-taking behaviors5 by individuals who foresee or prompt change and are proactive and considered by the universities as drivers of innovation.
Objectives of the project
- To conduct a detailed assessment and comparison of intrapreneurship mechanisms, policies, and frameworks across institutions at the national and regional levels.
- To produce a policy paper on the main intrapreneurial mechanisms needed for in entrepreneurial universities as well as a research output on the development of intrapreneurial skills based on data collected in developed Program Country HEIs and Partner Country HEIs.
- To build the intrapreneurial skills and capabilities of 100 academic staff and students through training in HEIs in third countries not associated to the Programme, in the departments of Management, Humanities, Arts and IT (10 academics from each HEI; 5 administration employees from each HEI ; 5 students from each HEI), by preparing them to become true agents of change, through a new innovative practice developed during the project.
- To launch 2 intrapreneurial initiatives “Academic Intrapreneurship Empowerment” & “Intrapreneurship Ignite” at country level (Albania and Kosovo) at student level and faculty level, under the mentorship of EU experienced partners.
- To establish the “IntraSphere” – a conducive physical environment that promotes intrapreneurial collaboration and innovation within the university setting.
- To enhance innovation mechanisms of HEIs in third countries not associated to the Program by establishing a dedicated innovation task force comprised of 2 academics within each HEI, who will continue to foster a culture of innovation, by encouraging entrepreneurship within the HEIs after the project ends.
- Develop and Enhance VET Institutions’ Capacity: To improve existing programs at participating VET institutions and equip trainers with the necessary skills and knowledge for waste management and recycling.
- Strengthen Relationship Between VET Sector and Labour Market: To create partnerships between VET institutions and industry, aligning educational offerings with market needs.
- Promote Dissemination and Sustainability: To design and implement a Transferability Strategy that engages civil society, ensuring the long-term sustainability of successful waste management practices.
Expected Results and Outcomes
- Improve the quality of higher education in third countries not associated to the Programme by integrating intrapreneurial practices within a university, ensuring that staff and students are equipped with skills and mindsets to foster change, while making education more relevant to the needs of the labour market and society.
- Build capacities of researchers, managers, administrators, employees in different disciplines (arts, humanities, health) within HEI by instilling intrapreneurial culture and mindset, while create a comprehensive and modernized approach to higher education initiatives in terms of entrepreneurship.
- Stimulate collaboration of various actors within the university community across different roles and departments in joint intrapreneurial projects.
- To enhance innovative practices of academic staff and students in HEIs by preparing them to think critically, creatively, and entrepreneurially and in the future to become true agents of change.
Project Activities
- Design training for building intrapreneurial skills
- Functionalization of Intrasphere
- Peer Mentoring Program – Academics’ New project initiative
- Bootcamp for students (Graz) – Students’ New project initiative
Project Partners
- Professional College of Tirana (KPT)
- FH Joanneum (FHJ)
- SS. Cyril and Methodius University (SSCYRIL).
- RIT Kosovo (A.U.K)
- European University of Tirana (UET)
- Aleksander Moisiu University of Durres (UAMD)
- Universum International College (UNI)