The boot camp, hosted by the bhive EDC (Enterprise Development Centre), ran over five days and addressed aspects pertaining to idea generation, idea to concept, the development of a business model, networking and pitching.
The team heading-up the boot camp included Natanya Meyer from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Corrie Coetzer from the bhive EDC, and Johann Landsberg, manager of the bhive EDC. Several guest presenters and motivational speakers also contributed towards the success of the event: Vic Herbst, Dr Heleneze Lues, Dr Rita Klonaridis, Mandla Shezi, Dr Luzaan Hamilton, Dr Clarise Mostert, Gerhard van der Westhuizen, Klippies Kritzinger, Prof Danie Meyer, Dr Marko van Deventer, Prdoshni Moodley and Mike Ramajoa.
Dr Norah Clarke from the DHET’s Directorate for University Academic Planning and Management Support – and the initiator of the Student Entrepreneurship Week initiative – also visited the campus during the course of the boot camp. The theme for the week was ‘Entrepreneurship is a career’.
According to Natanya the importance of entrepreneurial development should not be overlooked within the realm of higher education. “We don’t teach students the skills of entrepreneurship just so that they can launch new ventures. Our approach is exactly the opposite: our entrepreneurship focus and training help students develop valuable life and career skills whilst motivating them to consider entrepreneurship as a career option,” she explains.
