A free young entrepreneur summer camp for 40 second-level students will run this summer in GMIT’s Galway (Dublin Road ) campus, commencing on July 8. The camp is hosted by the School of Business, for the third year in a row, as part of a national initiative funded by the Higher Education Authority. The course is designed to meet a key objective of the National Skills Strategy 2025, the promotion of entrepreneurial thinking and design skills among secondary school pupils.
Kevin McDonagh and Ivan McPhillips, lecturers in enterprise, creativity, and innovation, will lead the delivery of the one-week course which is open to secondary school students in Galway city and county, aged 12 to 17 years. It will run from Monday July 8 to Friday July 12, from 10am to 4pm (except Friday, which runs from 10am to 1pm ). Participation is free and lunch/refreshments are provided each day.
Both lecturers have many years of experience in mentoring and encouraging GMIT students to participate in national and regional competitions such as Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur; Enterprise Ireland Student Enterprise Awards; The Ericson Innovation Awards; GMIT Student Innovation Awards; and the SCCUL Student Enterprise Awards.
The Entrepreneur Summer Camp will help pupils develop ideas and present them to a panel of judges at the end of the week. The programme will span idea generation to commercialisation and involve workshops, lectures, guest speakers, practical exercises, field trips, and a site visit. Modules will be delivered by experienced GMIT lecturers with the assistance of guest experts and entrepreneurs.
“Prizes will be awarded to participants based on the quality of the ideas they develop and their pitching of those ideas to the panel of judges,” Kevin McDonagh said. “Inclusion of a competitive aspect to the camp will help stimulate the creation and dynamic development of business ideas, helping participants develop creative confidence, entrepreneurial thinking and leadership skills.”
Ivan McPhillips added: “We look forward to receiving applications from all schools in the city and county. The standard each year keeps increasing. It’s great to see young people excited about becoming entrepreneurs.”
For more information and to apply, contact Ivan McPhillips at [email protected] or 091 742608. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday July 3.
