Center for the Development of the Entreprenurial Spirit

 

Director:
Ph.D. Rodrigo Varela Velasco - Rodrigo Varela Velasco
Contents: Creation Mission Purpose Commitment Beliefs Activities Documentation Center

 

 

Creation
The Center for Entrepreneurship Development (CDEE), an academic entity of the University, was created on 1 January 1985 in line with the primary mission of Icesi. Through the education process and with continuous participation of the Icesi Community, the intention of CDEE is to create, assimilate and spread understanding in the following areas: Development of a Spirit of Entrepreneurial Culture; Creation of Businesses; Business Education and Training of Business Leaders.
Purpose
To motivate, train and develop, through academic activities, members of the community in creative actions to permit them to become:
  • Entrepreneurs of the future
  • Creators of new enterprises
  • Producers of wealth, productive work and social well being
          • Creative valuable leaders, catalysts for personal, professional and social fulfillment.
Commitment
To create an atmosphere to stimulate the growth of new organizations (private, public, profit or non-profit) and to preserve and reinforce existing organizations in the community.
Beliefs
The CDEE believes that businessmen are creative and innovative human beings capable of surpassing personal limitations and difficulties that surround them ; who wish to turn ideas into actions; who are capable of nurturing the economy and business activities; who are able to enrich the quality of life in the community and whose actions produce growth, progress, employment, added value, profit and personal fulfillment.

CDEE - Icesi defines its activities in four broad areas : teaching, research, extension and services.

CDEE - Icesi activities are directed to various stages of the business process such as :

      • Motivation
  • Orientation
  • Identification and Development of Business Opportunities
  • Development of a Business Plan
  • Business Creation Process
  • Assistance in the Development and Consolidation of Businesses

Teaching

The basic objective is to provide business education to students and professors at Icesi University, to the Education Sector and to all others sectors who may request it. Pursuant to this, the following courses, seminars and workshops are offered :

 

  • Business Creativity Course (I and II)
  • Seminars for Students 1 to 5 level I and II for Careers in :
    1. Industrial Engineering
    2. Industrial Design
    3. Economics and International Negotiation
    4. Systems Engineering
    5. Data Transmission Engineering

Activities of the Business Creativity Course:

  • Teaching Conferences alternated with classes through other media such as Chat Rooms and E-mail
  • Lectures and Presentations via Internet
  • Interviews with Businessmen
  • Participation of at least 3 Businessmen in the Classroom
  • Brainstorming - Development of Ideas
  • Creativity Workshop
  • Communications Workshop
  • Self-evaluation Workshop
  • Success Motivation Workshop
  • Analysis of Business Characteristics of Each Student
  • Participation in Research Projects
  • Elaboration of a Complete Business Plan
  • Sustaining a Business Plan

Objectives of the Teaching Activity

  • Highlight the importance of an entrepreneurial culture in socioeconomic development
  • Identify cultural components common to an entrepreneurial spirit
  • Develop and reinforce values typical in the entrepreneurial spirit such as : independence, achievement, self development, decision-making, risks, creativity, innovation, self-confidence, social responsibility, leadership, excellence, productivity, continuous improvement, initiative, persistence and positive non-conformity.
  • Reduce and/or eliminate the myths and traditions that prevent people from considering business life dignified and viable as a future profession.
  • Become familiar with mechanisms and concepts compatible with the establishment and running of a successful business.
  • Expose students to the real business world.
  • Develop a positive attitude toward business innovation, whether as an appropriate activity, or as a management function.
  • Lead the education process toward a new concept of business education.
  • Facilitate the creative/innovative process to form a business culture replete with creativity and social responsibility as proposed by CDEE.

Research

The basic objective is to bring out information on various elements and components of the business creation process to foster teaching activities with theories and results based on Colombia´s reality.

Research Projects

  • Research on the birth and death rates of companies in Cali, Colombia.
  • Research on characteristics of business persons.
  • Research on risk taking conduct of university students, businessmen and employees.
  • Research on entrepreneurial spirit in coordination with Canadian and Latin American Universities.
  • Research on education techniques at all levels for training new business persons/entrepreneurs.
  • Research on characteristics and problems associated with family businesses.
  • Research on effects that technology, innovation and creativity have on operation of a networking system for small and medium sized business sectors.
  • Research on impact our activities have on alumni of Icesi (Phase I and II).
  • The WebCT.

Extension Programs

The objective is to spread concepts of business education, culture and spirit

  • Creation of a Worldwide Business Culture.
Extension Projects
  • Latin American Congresses on Entrepreneurial Spirit.
  • National Symposium on Business Education.
  • Keep various Latin American Institutions advised on Development of Programs on Entrepreneurial Spirit.
  • Collaborate with Foundation "Fundaempresa", an Institution which advises university students in the development and financing of new companies.
  • Participation in INTERMAN-ILD-UNDP Research Project on "The Worldwide Entrepreneurial Spirit"
  • Development of a Network on Entrepreneurial Spirit between Europe and Latin America named ALFA-EDEM which works on development of a training program for University Professors in the area of Entrepreneurial Spirit.
  • Program on Management Development for Small and Medium Sized Businesses (BID)
  • The University Business Exhibit EXPOIcesi
  • Development of Conferences and Seminars on Entrepreneurial Spirit

The fundamental objective of this activity is to offer services in:

  • Assistance to Institutions interested in developing Entrepreneurial Spirit Concept.
  • Helping businessmen who want to exploit business opportunities.
  • Helping Icesi students in the process of changing business opportunities into reality.
  • Consulting with national and international entities.
  • Development of Business Catalysts ONUDI-OIT-PNUD.
  • Regional studies on business capabilities.

Principal Projects

  • Strengthening the Center for Development of Entrepreneurial Spirit. FES Foundation, Union Carbide.
  • Pilot Educational Program for High School Students in Cali. Center for International Private Enterprise (USA)
  • Business Education. FES Foundation. Eveready de Colombia
  • Entrepreneurial Spirit for primary and secondary school teachers. Center for International Private Enterprise (USA)
  • Development of Entrepreneurial Spirit in public schools in the Valle del Cauca. (Antonio Restrepo Barco Foundation).
  • Promotion, development and other assistance to small and medium size industries. Hond/86/003. PNUD-ONUDI-Honduras.
  • Educating Entrepreneurs. CLADEA - CFDMAS (Canada).
  • Entrepreneurship World-Wide. PNUD-OIT-INTERMAN. (Switzerland).
  • Promote business thinking in Cali Public Schools. Secretary for Economic and Competitive Promotion. - Cali Municipality.
  • Contracts with Universities, Schools, Professional Associations, Non-Governmental Organizations, Cooperatives and Private Companies to give courses and training programs.

Seminars and Workshops

  • Business Education for university professors and directors.
  • Training for young entrepreneurs.
  • Business Creativity for engineering students.
  • Entrepreneurial Spirit and Starting a New Business.
  • Entrepreneurial Spirit for Primary School Teachers.

  • Business Education for Middle Schools.
  • Business Education for Teachers and Parents.
  • Business Orientation (V2).
  • Business Orientation (V1).
  • Starting a New Business.
  • The Business Plan.
  • The Career Woman in Business.
  • Business Development Program.
  • Program on Labor adaptation.
  • Program on how to increase income of employees.
  • Program on Business Development for Career Women.
  • Summer Camp on Entrepreneurial Spirit.
  • Entrepreneurial Spirit for Military Personnel.
  • Summer Education Program for Employees’ Children.
  • Dynamics and Management of a Family Business.
  • Operating Tools for new Businesses.
  • Entrepreneurial Spirit and the Creation of Businesses.
  • Business Education for Professors of Quindio University.
  • Workshop on Development of Creative Thinking.
  • Workshop on Self Esteem and Personal Worth.
  • My Leadership Skills and My Area of Influence.
  • Effective Communication.

Services

The object of this activity is to offer services such as training, research and consulting to institutions interested in advancing skills and knowledge in this field and to business persons who wish to put opportunities into practice.

The following services are available :

 

  • Direct Training and Train the Trainer Program.
  • Seminars and Workshops for various social groups interested in the academic fields of CDEE-Icesi.
  • Consulting National and International Organizations to transfer knowhow.
  • Regional studies on business capability.
  • Special assistance to Icesi student in the process of turning business opportunities into reality.

 
 
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