TAM Report / Kyrgyzstan - Entrepreneurship education

GENERAL INFORMATION

TAM title: Entrepreneurship education: Best practices and implementation strategies

Type of Event: Conferences and workshops

Modality: Presential

Location: Oasis Residence, Bishkek

Country: Kyrgyzstan

Dates: 8 and 9 April 2024

Participants: The TAM brought together academic staff and representatives from several Kyrgyz universities, including professors, instructors, and administrators involved in curriculum development and entrepreneurship education. Participants also included representatives of Kyrgyz State Technical University (the host institution) and the visiting international expert from the University of Barcelona. The group reflected a mix of educators and practitioners seeking to strengthen entrepreneurship education within their institutions.

THEMES COVERED

• Importance of entrepreneurship education in Kyrgyzstan and global best practices
• Curriculum design and strategies for integrating entrepreneurship into higher education
• Pedagogical methods for teaching entrepreneurship, including constructionism and STEM-focused approaches
• Development of entrepreneurial skills and mindset
• International collaboration, networking, and overcoming challenges in entrepreneurship education

KEY OUTCOMES

During the workshop, participants:

• Gained practical tools and techniques for identifying and evaluating business opportunities.
• Developed their entrepreneurial mindset and key entrepreneurship-related skills.
• Improved their understanding of how to integrate entrepreneurship education into higher-education curricula.
• Strengthened their capacity to teach entrepreneurship using interactive and innovative methods.
• Expanded their professional networks with Kyrgyz and international experts and practitioners in entrepreneurship education.

OVERVIEW

The TAM aimed to strengthen understanding and implementation of entrepreneurship education within Kyrgyz higher education institutions. Across keynote lectures, workshops, and panel discussions, the expert introduced international experiences from the University of Barcelona and worked with Kyrgyz academic staff to explore practical approaches to embedding entrepreneurship into curricula. The programme also included interactive sessions on pedagogical methods, curriculum design, entrepreneurial skills development, and opportunities for international collaboration. The activities targeted professors and staff of Kyrgyz universities, particularly those beginning to integrate entrepreneurship and innovation into their programmes.

THE FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY

Title of the activity: Follow-up seminar of the TAM “Entrepreneurship Education: Best Practices and Implementation Strategies”

Dates: 10 April 2024

Audience: The seminar brought together 39 participants from 14 universities across Kyrgyzstan, representing both academic and administrative staff (11 men and 28 women). Participants included educators, practitioners, and university representatives involved in entrepreneurship and curriculum development. Their engagement demonstrated sustained interest in advancing entrepreneurship education at institutional level.

Description: The follow-up seminar was held offline at Kyrgyz State Technical University and focused on strengthening the implementation of entrepreneurship education within Kyrgyz higher education. The event included an expert panel discussion on overcoming challenges in entrepreneurship education and a practical workshop dedicated to developing entrepreneurial skills and mindset among educators. The seminar aimed to deepen the knowledge shared during the initial TAM and provide participants with concrete tools for integrating entrepreneurship into curricula and teaching practice.

ENHANCING IMPACT: PROPOSED NEXT STEPS

• Promote Agile project management, Lean Inception, and the creation of an Innovation Office/Hub as priority areas for further development.
• Reinforce the vision and commitment of the university leadership to ensure continuity of entrepreneurship initiatives.
• Expand practical education in digital transformation across higher education.
• Support and coach entrepreneurship and innovation projects in key sectors such as health, tourism, and digital transformation.

RESOURCES AND BACKGROUND MATERIAL

• Tuckman, B. W. (1965). Developmental sequence in small groups. Psychological Bulletin, 63(6), pp. 384–399.
• Sitra – Finnish Innovation Fund (n.d.). Megatrends. Available at: https://www.sitra.fi/en/topics/megatrends/
• Rogers, D. L. (2016). The Digital Transformation Playbook: Rethink your business for the digital age. New York: Columbia Business School Publishing.