Improving Student Extracurricular Engagement and Innovation Through an Entrepreneurship Course

This paper presents a novel approach to electrical and computing education by integrating an engineering entrepreneurship course aimed at enhancing students' entrepreneurial mindset and innovating addressing global societal challenges in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) using smart technology. Offered at a prestigious UK university, the course is mandatory for third year electrical and electronic engineering students and elective for computer engineering students in combined bachelor's and master's degree programs. The course uniquely combines team based experiential learning with extracurricular activities, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and practical application of theoretical knowledge. Unlike previous models, this course emphasizes real-world problem identification and societal impact, providing a replicable model for integrating entrepreneurship with innovation into engineering education. Students engage in project-based learning that culminates in developing viable business models addressing real-world issues, thereby enhancing both student engagement and societal impact awareness. The course's effectiveness is assessed through a detailed framework. This paper outlines the course structure and presents findings from the 2022/23 academic year. Analysis of student-created businesses shows clear alignment with the UN SDGs, although teams initially focused on relatable real-world problems rather than the SDGs. The role of extracurricular entrepreneurial activities and funding in enhancing the student experience is highlighted. The results indicate an increased likelihood of students continuing their start-ups post-course completion, driven by extracurricular involvement and monetary funding. This innovative practice builds on previous efforts to improve student engagement and student lead innovation that addresses sustainability.