Paper Authors

Abstract

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

Session 3654

Technological Entrepreneurship Certificate

John P. Robinson, Edward M. Moldt University of Iowa

Abstract

The Technological Entrepreneurship Certificate at The University of Iowa is earned in conjunction with an engineering degree. The College of Engineering in partnership with the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at The University of Iowa has developed the first certificate of its kind in any U.S. college or university. The Center is the only one of its kind in the country to mesh students and faculty in engineering, business, and medical sciences. Engineering students pursuing the certificate program take a minimum of 18 semester hours of entrepreneurial courses. The program enables engineering students to study the entrepreneurial process as it relates to technology.

Engineering students at The University of Iowa are exploring venture capital, marketability of products, and technology transfer. They are preparing to launch tomorrow’s successful businesses while earning their engineering degree. It not only serves students who intend to start and operate their own business, it also helps any student interested in gaining a better understanding of the entrepreneurial process. The wide range of electives permits students to tailor business courses best suited for their individual interests.

I. Introduction

This paper describes the development of the certificate program from the perspective of the first author who acted as midwife. Ed Moldt's role was that of parent, one of several. The model was the usual academic process, punctuated equilibrium. Resistance to change and the formalization of new activity characterizes this model once breakthrough is achieved. Key to the success was leadership from the top.

Richard K. Miller was appointed Dean of Engineering in 1992 with a goal of the construction of a major addition to, and renovation of the engineering building. The requisite fund raising involved entrepreneurial alumni; and general recognition of the importance of entrepreneurial ideas in our student's skill set.

Dean Miller in partnership with Gary C. Fethke Dean of the Henry B. Tippie College of Business initiated discussions in 1993 which lead to the recruitment of Edward M. Moldt as a consultant. Under Ed Moldt’s direction the entrepreneurial activity on campus

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Robinson, J. P., & Moldt, E. M. (2000, June), Technological Entrepreneurship Certificate Paper presented at 2000 Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri. 10.18260/1-2--8767