By Lanita Withers Goins , University Relations
Contact: (336) 334-3890
Posted 11-5-10
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Dr. Dianne H.B. Welsh, the Charles A. Hayes Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship in the Bryan School of Business and Economics, will speak on university entrepreneurship when she addresses an international conference of the United Nation’s Economic Commission for Europe Nov. 9 in Kiev, Ukraine.
“I’m talking about the importance of cross disciplinary entrepreneurship,” Welsh said. “Spread entrepreneurship throughout the curriculum so that you spread innovation and commercialization. You can’t just start a center and expect that’s how it works. You have to put the foundation there first.”
The conference is designed to teach emerging countries in Eastern Europe how to cultivate commercialization in their countries. Universities play a key role in that because the vast majority of research that could lead to businesses creation occurs on campuses, she said.
Her case study for the presentation: UNCG’s efforts to integrate entrepreneurial principles throughout the curriculum.
“If you lay the foundation for entrepreneurship throughout the campus, you’re going to end up having people who have an entrepreneurial mindset and can produce products and services and start their own entrepreneurial endeavors,” Welsh explained.
Entrepreneurship is one of the fastest growing subjects in undergraduate education. At UNCG, 33 new or revised cross disciplinary courses with an entrepreneurship focus have been added to curricula across campus in recent years, including a new minor for non-business majors, a redesigned minor for business majors and a new entrepreneurship major launched this fall. The university also offers a post-baccalaureate certificate in entrepreneurship.
Welsh came to UNCG in the fall of 2008 and was a driving force behind the creation of the N.C. Entrepreneurship Center the following year. She serves as the center’s founder and executive director.
In October, the center was honored for Exceptional Activities in Entrepreneurship Across Disciplines by the Global Consortium on Entrepreneurship Centers.
