Stemming from a pedagogical project entitled "Developing an entrepreneurial mindset in engineering students through new modules integrated within existing courses" and funded by Quebec鈥檚 Minist猫re de l'Enseignement sup茅rieur, through contributions from the Canada-Quebec Agreement on Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction, we are able to offer new modules, both online and in-person, on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) related subjects.
Developing the entrepreneurial mindset and culture in our students is important so that they can 鈥渃reate personal, economic, and societal value through a lifetime of meaningful work.鈥� (Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network - KEEN). This will also enhance their engagement, learning, retention and produce a more real-world experience, which will be beneficial to their academic and future career success.
If you are a course instructor in the Faculty of Engineering and are interested in including any of the modules (also available as self-paced online modules within myCourses) in your courses, please engine [at] mcgill.ca (subject: I%20want%20to%20find%20out%20more%20about%20the%20I%26E%20Modules%20and%20developing%20the%20Entrepreneurial%20Mindset%20of%20my%20students) (contact us)!
Modules Available:
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The Entrepreneurial Mindset
"Engineers are and must continue to be at the forefront of innovative solutions in order to help Canadians meet the environmental, social, and economic challenges of the 21st century.鈥� Engineers Canada
Engineers who not only utilize their technical engineering skills, but also employ an entrepreneurial mindset involving curiosity, connections, and creating value (the 3Cs), are well-rounded engineers prepared with the necessary knowledge and skillsets to be successful in their career.听They understand the bigger picture, recognize problems and opportunities, and create value for themselves and others.听Entrepreneurially minded engineers are powerful agents of positive change.
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Patents and Other Intellectual Property
As engineering professionals, students will participate in and lead development of confidential and patentable intellectual property projects during their career. A basic working knowledge of intellectual property concepts and law are essential for engineers and scientists seeking a career in the business and industrial world. The purpose of this module is to provide the student with this background.
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Innovative Client-Centered Solutions Through Design Thinking
Design thinking is an innovation mindset and a problem-solving methodology that helps people solve concrete challenges, big or small.听Too often, engineers jump to solutions before carefully considering the needs and wants of the end user.听Design thinking helps engineers to keep in mind the spoken and unspoken needs of the end user and the viability of the product.听Using a design thinking methodology, students learn how to create desirable solutions that are better tailored to the needs of the end user.
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Thinking Creatively to Drive Innovation
Thinking creatively requires understanding that creativity is determined more by nurture than nature, recognition of the value of the divergent-convergent thinking process, forming highly diverse teams, and then using collaborative thinking methods. This module encourages students to stimulate and use their natural curiosity regarding the changing world about them and its needs. Then, based on what they see and understand, seek to make connections from many sources to generate creative ideas that lead to meeting those needs.
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Assessment of the Market and Competition
Many novice engineers think their work is finished when the technical solution to a problem is reached. In reality, they are just at the beginning of a potentially arduous process if they intend to actually bring it to market and thus create value to their company and society. Ultimately, success will be determined by the ability of engineers to understand and navigate (and overcome) the various risks that may impact their company as they attempt to commercialize their technology.
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Pitch Presenting - Advocating for Your Good Ideas
Engineering professionals are expected to present ideas and solutions in a clear and efficient manner. This module introduces students to the essential skill of advocating: not just for technical ideas and solutions, but for their company, their products, and themselves. Students will learn not only how to prepare and deliver brief effective pitches, but also how to adjust the message for various types of audiences. The goal is to become an effective advocate anywhere, anytime and with any audience. Students will also learn the value of feedback and persistence in developing successful pitches.
