Although many universities in the developed world embrace entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education, African universities have not fully integrated this discipline as a significant part of their curriculum. Those that have, still employ traditional and theoretical pedagogies. According to Kabongo and Okpara (2010), entrepreneurship education in Africa remains focused on lecturing. Thus, the purpose of this Symposium is to engage in a robust dialogue to enhance entrepreneurship education in Africa, to help make it more practical and relevant. The Symposium explores entrepreneurship pedagogies that would enhance student engagement and effectiveness in the classroom. It also explores the role of technologies and blended entrepreneurship education, including virtual formats and the use of Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs).

FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE: To explore what we teach, how we teach it, and how we integrate practical lessons into our teaching.

GOALS : Strengthening entrepreneurship education in Africa, and grow more informed and better prepared entrepreneurs for the global market.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Entrepreneurship Educators/Faculty, Students, Policymakers, Entrepreneurs.

PROGRAM

DAY ONE - Sept 17 - 8:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. EST

8:30 – Participants Log In, Music & Interactive Activity

9:00 – Welcome by Rebkha Atnafou, MPH, Johns Hopkins University, RnD Associates/RDA Africa

Speakers: Dr. Constant Beugré and Dr. Michael Casson, Dean, Delaware State University

9:10 – Keynote Panel: Entrepreneurship Education in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

From diverse disciplines representing academia and business in Africa and the U.S., the expert panel will discuss challenges and opportunities in enhancing how we teach entrepreneurship to include practical and applied practices related to instruction and learning pedagogies.

Keynote Speakers: Dr. Eleni Gabre Madhin, blueMoon; Dr. Michael Morris, University of Notre Dame

Panelists: Dr. Norris Krueger, University of Phoenix; Dr. Eleni Gabre Madhin, blueMoon; Dr. Michael Morris, University of Notre Dame; Dr. Ven Sriram, University of Baltimore

Moderator: Dr. James Calvin, Johns Hopkins University

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10:10 – Panel 1: Entrepreneurship Pedagogies I: Active Learning Pedagogies

Entrepreneurship pedagogies are the main focus of the Symposium, highlighting the hands-on aspect of entrepreneurship education. This section will explore teaching tools and strategies. These active-learning pedagogies include experiential guidance, ideation exercises, case studies, entrepreneurship practicum, and problem-based pedagogies.

Panelists: Dr. Richard Hayes, Hofstra University; Dr. Maneshkumar P. Joshi, George Mason University; Dr. Jean Kabongo, University of South Florida, Sarasota Manatee

Moderator: Dr. Constant D. Beugré, Delaware State University

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11:10 – Panel 2: Teaching Entrepreneurship from the Student’s Perspective

This panel focuses on entrepreneurship education from the student’s point of view. Students will share their experiences as learners and focus on exemplary practices.

Panelists: Students from Morgan State University, Lagos Business School (Dolapo Amusan), African Leadership University (Charles Nana Kwarteng) and Johns Hopkins University (AJ Erogbogbo)

Moderator: Rebkha Atnafou, MPH, Johns Hopkins University, RnD Associates/RDA Africa

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11:40 – Breakouts: Exploration of Practical Examples on Active Learning pedagogies

1. Student-led session on active learning pedagogies on problem solving, pitching and storytelling.

Moderators: Jackson Akor, African Leadership University

Presenters: Students from Lagos Business School (Dolapo Amusan and Galia Nnoli), Morgan State University, and African Leadership University (Charles Nana K. Warteng)

2. Student-led session on the role of the student diaspora community

Presenter: AJ Erogbogbo, Johns Hopkins University

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12:10 – Closing Keynote

Dr. M. Kikelomo Onifade, Founder, The Go2 Venture Builder, Inc., and Co-Founder, Summit VB, Ltd.

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12:30 – Reflections

Dr. Olayinka David-West, Asst. Dean, Lagos Business School.

Wrap up and plans for tomorrow.

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12:45 – Adjourn - Dr. Constant Beugré, Delaware State University

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DAY TWO - Sept 18 - 8:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. EST

8:30 – Participants Log In, Music & Interactive Activity

9:00 – Welcome

Speaker: Rebkha Atnafou, MPH, Johns Hopkins University, RnD Associates/RDA Africa

Performance: Kibibi Ajanku and Sankofa Dance Theatre

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9:15 – Panel 3: Entrepreneurship Pedagogies II: Storytelling

This section continues from Pedagogies I, incorporating methods such as active learning, storytelling, drama and fire camps to emphasize practices of teaching entrepreneurship.

Panelists: Dr. Lutisha Vickerie-Dearman, Hofstra University; Dr. Peter Kibas, Zetech University, Kenya; Dr. Henry McKoy, North Carolina Central University

Moderator: Dr. Moses Ngoze, Technical University of Mombasa, Kenya

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10:00 – Panel 4: Teaching Community, Cultural & Social Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship education in Africa must be holistic and reach beyond formal classrooms. Indeed, the informal sector may be the most important part of most economies in Africa, and therefore, any entrepreneurship education in Africa must acknowledge it. Africa is a land rich in arts and culture, yet entrepreneurship education has not paid attention to this area. This Symposium embraces the integration of arts and culture in entrepreneurship education and fosters existing ventures and creates new opportunities.

Panelists: Alexandre Kouakou, Founder and CEO, Nvaulay Construction, Ivory Coast; Dr. Baniyelme D. Zoogah, Xavier University and Africa Academy of Management ; Dr. Abdoulkadre Ado, University of Ottawa; Paul Jingo Masai, Global Training Centers, LLC.

Moderator: Dr. Fikru Boghossian, Dean, Earl Graves School of Business & Management, Morgan State University and Chair, Association of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Business School Deans

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10:50 – Break and Entertainment by Kibibi Ajanku and Sankofa Dance Theatre

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11:05 – Breakouts/Workshops: activity or demonstration

1. Youth entrepreneurship by Dr. Moses Ngoze, Technical University of Mombasa, Kenya

2. Social entrepreneurship by Dr. Jean Kabongo, University of South Florida

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11:35 – Panel 5: Teaching Youth & Women Entrepreneurship

According to statistics from the United Nations, more than 70% of the population in Africa is below the age of 35. Thus, entrepreneurship education designed to transform young people into job creators versus job seekers is vital. The same is true for women, who represent a large number of entrepreneurs in Africa — especially in the informal sector. This session explores considerations, techniques and methodologies to teach entrepreneurship to these demographics.

Panelists: Dr. Tiffany Bussey, Morehouse College; Dr. Abeba Beyene Mengistu, Addis Ababa University; Desta Meghoo, J.D. Founder D.Y.M. Creative Consultancy; Dr. Jill Humphries, University of Toledo

Moderator: Rebkha Atnafou, MPH, Johns Hopkins University, RnD Associates/RDA Africa

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12:15 – Final Keynote

Jennifer Mwijukye, Unifreight Cargo Handling, Uganda

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12:35 – Reflections

Wrap Up and Evaluation

Dr. Constant Beugré, Delaware State University; Dr. Michael Casson, Dean, College of Business, Delaware State University; Desta Meghoo, J.D. Founder D.Y.M. Creative Consultancy

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12:45 – Adjourn - Rebkha Atnafou, MPH, Johns Hopkins University, RnD Associates/RDA Africa

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CO-SPONSORS

• RnD Associates/RDA Africa
• College of Business at Delaware State University
• Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management, Morgan State University
• School of Business, North Carolina Central University
• Seeka University, Ivory Coast
• Addis Ababa University
• Lagos Business School
• Xavier University
• Africa Academy of Management
• Johns Hopkins University

RnD Associates