PONTA DELGADA | Regional Government reinforces presence of Entrepreneurial Academy – School of Leaders in university context

The Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Vocational Training and Employment, signed this Tuesday a cooperation protocol with the University of the Azores for the implementation of the university edition of the Entrepreneurial Academy – School of Leaders.

The event took place on the Ponta Delgada campus of the University of the Azores. On the occasion, Maria João Carreiro praised the “close and committed cooperation between the Regional Government and the University of the Azores” with a view to “building common responses to the challenges and needs of the Region,” in this case to provide a renewed impetus to entrepreneurial education in a school environment.

The university edition of the Entrepreneurial Academy – School of Leaders, promoted through the Regional Directorate for Youth, runs from March to April. It is based on a certified digital ideation course/programme, which covers topics such as basic concepts of entrepreneurship, business plans, funding channels, start-ups and pitch techniques, for example.

“With this course, young participants will be able to acquire differentiating skills, while also being challenged to think about ideas that could be transformed into entrepreneurship projects. This will bring benefits in terms of business creation, self-employment and the modernisation of the economy,” explained Maria João Carreiro.

The three best ideas selected will compete in the I9. Azores – Young Academy of Innovative Ideas between May 31 and June 2 on the island of São Jorge.

The Secretary for Youth, Vocational Training and Employment also stressed that the university edition of the Entrepreneurial Academy aims to “find new talents and encourage young people to think about ways of leveraging the resources and assets of the Region. It also intends to bring young university students, who are completing their studies, closer to the business and professional world.”

“The University of the Azores, as a partner of the Entrepreneurial Academy, will play a fundamental role not only in disseminating the programme and mobilising university students but also in certifying the course and providing technical means and resources,” she added.

The university edition of the Entrepreneurial Academy is open to young people enrolled in higher education, residents or natives of the Azores, including students outside the Region.

The signing session of the cooperation protocol began with a performance by Tunídeos, a Students’ Musical Group from the University of the Azores. It was followed by a debate featuring Teresa Tiago, professor at the University of the Azores, Carlota Dâmaso, collaborator at InUAc Business Centre, and Rodrigo Carvalho, winner of the 1st edition of I9.Açores – University Level, moderated by Daniela Álvares, professor at the University of the Azores.

The Entrepreneurial Academy – School of leaders is a non-formal training and education programme for entrepreneurship that runs through all education levels, from elementary to higher education, including vocational education and Private Social Solidarity Institutions. This year, it involved about 30 schools in the Region, 1,000 students and 60 educational agents.

GRA/RÁDIOILHÉU