This article describes experiences gained during efforts made to develop engineering education in support of entrepreneurial behavior in Northern Scandinavia. The data have been collected from higher education institutions (HEI) operating in Northern Finland as a part of a Pan-Scandinavian project. Traditionally, the emphasis of engineering education has been on the engineering substance, and the viewpoint of entrepreneurship has been covered by teaching business planning separately. However, recently, it has been widely acknowledged that other aspects such as cooperation skills, self-esteem, creativity, responsibility, and enthusiasm, are more relevant for entrepreneurial behavior. Specifically, the article covers current state analyses in two HEIs. Also, relevant scientific literature has been analyzed to form an adequate theoretical basis. Development actions taken separately in each HEI and those taken in cooperation are also described. For example, feedback obtained during various workshops and the action plans developed are clarified. The overall conclusion so far emphasizes understanding entrepreneurial abilities as aspects that should be included throughout curricula instead of seeing them as a separate topic to be covered by single courses. Entrepreneurial behavior and mindset should be considered as generic competences and integrated into the teaching of engineering substance.
Proceedings of the 9th International CDIO Conference, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts, June 9 – 13, 2013.
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