Paris/Jakarta, 24 October 2023: In collaboration with the OECD Platform for Entrepreneurship Education Collaboration and Engagement Network (EECOLE), the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) has launched a new short webinar series aimed at discussing the role of skills and higher education in the development of entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems.  

The second episode of the series, entitled ‘Assessing the Impact of Entrepreneurship Education on Individual Mindsets’ featured Dr Gabi Kaffka, an entrepreneurship education expert from the University of Utrecht, the Netherlands, and Dr Norris Kruger, a senior scholar and writer on entrepreneurial thinking.  

During the discussion, speakers highlighted several key messages. Firstly, they emphasised that entrepreneurship serves as a valuable tool to enhance education outcomes. This is because it necessitates a deeper interaction between teachers and learners, often in smaller groups. 

Furthermore, the speakers illustrated that it is both possible and worthwhile to develop metrics and tools to identify the characteristics and evolution of the entrepreneurial mindset. These insights contribute to a better understanding of this vital aspect. 

Lastly, it was discussed that while self-assessment tools are subject to ongoing improvement, they play a significant role in increasing awareness about the importance of entrepreneurial skills among learners and teachers. These tools can be instrumental in fostering innovation within education systems at all levels. 

The webinar was co-hosted by Dr Raffaele Trapasso, Ms Maria Sobron Bernal (OECD), and Dr Giulia Ajmone Marsan (ERIA).