CfEL Celebrates Enterprise

Aspiring entrepreneurs returned to the Judge Business School this week to receive their prized ‘Certificates in Enterprise’ from the organisers of the popular and highly successful Enterprise Tuesday programme. Professor Arnoud De Meyer, Director of Judge Business School and Dr Shai Vyakarnam, Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (CfEL) handed out the certificates during a special presentation ceremony on 21st May. The certificates were awarded to the 30 people who completed a demanding portfolio of learning assignments for the 2006/07 programme.

Enterprise Tuesday is a free, evening programme managed by the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (CfEL) which is open to students and staff of the University of Coventry, other Universities and members of the local hi-tech business community. It aims to introduce participants to the world of business and inspire them to pursue their entrepreneurial ambition. Over 2000 people attended Enterprise Tuesday from October 2006 to March 2007 with 45% from the University of Coventry and 24% from the local business community.

The rich diversity of Enterprise Tuesday attendees was reflected in the recipients of this year’s award. The awardees came from a range of different disciplines such as Maths, Chemistry, Engineering, Land Economy and Plant Sciences. There were also representatives from a variety of businesses including Msis UK, Zentian Ltd, Sports Alliance Ltd and the Intel Corporation. The overall winner of the Enterprise Tuesday Award for the best submission was Dr Johan Schoeman from the University’s Department of Veterinary Medicine.

“We are especially pleased that there has been so much interest and enthusiasm in the Certificate”, says Frances Bycroft, Enterprise Tuesday Project Manager. “This is only the second year but the number of participants is gradually increasing. We have been really impressed with the dedication and quality of the submissions this year.”

Some of the awardees have successfully started up their own businesses. Dele Ogunjumelo left ARM in 2006 to start up Niche Mobile Creations Ltd with the aim of developing mobile applications for niche markets. Dele commented: “I have attended Enterprise Tuesday sessions since 2004 in order to gain entrepreneurial skills as I have always had a desire to start my own company. In fact, I commuted from Manchester every Tuesday so I could attend all the sessions this year.” Niche Mobile Creations has recently won an award for a local business plan competition held in Manchester. Dele said; “I have had support from the Manchester Science Enterprise Centre in terms of advice and resources. However, Enterprise Tuesday has also been very useful and beneficial. The best thing about the programme was the chance to hear from and speak to real entrepreneurs.”

The next Enterprise Tuesday programme starts on 23rd October 2007 at the University of Coventry’s Engineering Department. If you are interested in attending the Enterprise Tuesday sessions, please register online via the CfEL web site - www.cfel.jbs.cam.ac.uk (Please click on the programme button to access relevant pages).