Dr Gangaram Singh, an accomplished academic and dean of the College of Business and Economics at California State University, recently visited the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (FEMS) at the North-West University (NWU) to share valuable insights on entrepreneurship ecosystem engagement.

The significance of Dr Singh's visit lies in his successful establishment of an entrepreneurship ecosystem at his institution, making him an ideal mentor for the NWU.

During the visit, Dr Singh discussed key aspects of their entrepreneurship ecosystem, including funding sources, interdisciplinary collaboration, and supporting ventures beyond the ideation stage. His diverse background in adult education, online learning and cricket management added valuable perspectives.

Dr Singh emphasised the importance of tailoring the entrepreneurship ecosystem to the NWU's unique culture and environment, rather than importing external models that may not fit.

Prof Herman van der Merwe, deputy dean for teaching and learning of the FEMS, says as the NWU is looking to launch its own entrepreneurship ecosystem, Dr Singh's visit provided an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders to learn from his experiences and to adapt his model to the university's unique context.

"Dr Sings's focus on fostering collaboration across disciplines and supporting ventures beyond the ideation stage resonates with the NWU's aim of engaging students from diverse backgrounds and providing comprehensive support for entrepreneurial ventures,” says Prof Van der Merwe.

“One of the key takeaways from his presentation was his insights on a practical training programme called STEP, which focuses on entrepreneurial skills in an accessible format suitable for non-management students. Implementing such practical training programmes aligns with the NWU's initiatives to provide students with hands-on entrepreneurship skills and knowledge.”

He adds that, by focusing on these key aspects of Dr Singh's presentation, the NWU could effectively incorporate his valuable insights and experiences into their approach, providing a roadmap for establishing a thriving, context-specific entrepreneurship ecosystem at the NWU.

Dr Gangaram Singh, an accomplished academic and dean of the College of Business and Economics at California State University, recently shared valuable insights on entrepreneurship ecosystem engagement.