For centuries, universities have been preparing and training people for qualified employment, and in some cases research, but this model today does not address Latin American social and economic challenges. The economic models and educational systems in Latin America are not well prepared to generate entrepreneurs. All economic projections, are telling that there will be not enough employment for people with university diploma, this phenomenon is taking place world while, Asia, Europe, North America and of course Latin America; social mobility is not occurring and will not occur if we don ́t develop new educational systems. In order to promote entrepreneurial or social innovations, we need different approaches that responds to the social and economic challenges we have today.
Latin American universities have done some good practices trying interesting learning experiences, but there is not a pedagogical methodology to form and support social entrepreneurs.
Main Objective
Integrating social innovation in academic curriculum and learning environments in Latin American Universities to promote quality improvement in academic programs through fostering competence to solve regional social problems.
Structure of the Project
Students4Changes will display activities within three special moments:
a) Design of materials and guides
b) Training sessions for teachers
c) Test of 5 pilot projects
Expected impact of the Project
This project will impact participant Universities (1), their students (2), their teaching staff (3), communities (4) involved in social innovation projects and entrepreneurship. Nine Latin American (LA) Universities will be direct beneficiaries of project ́s outputs. Through inclusion of new courses in their academic curriculum and the creation of the Social Innovation academic council, LA Universities will improve teaching competence on social innovation, will create knowledge webs with fellow Universities, will strengthen direct bonds with civic organizations and will improve diagnosis competences on community ́s needs and problems. We expect through dissemination activities (website, ebook, guides) other Universities will become interested.
Key Information
Duration: 3 years (October16-October 19)
Funding: 929.716,00
UPV/EHU Grant: 69.155,00
Nº of Partners: 16
Consortium: The consortium is conformed by 16 entitites within academic and social context, these are:
México
Univesidad Tecnológica de Monterrey (ITESM)
Universidad de Colima (UCOL)
Chile
UTALCA
PUCV
Brazsil
PUCRS
PUC Rio
Costa Rica
Universidad de Costa Rica
Universidad Tecnológica de Costa Rica ( UTCR)
Colombia
UCALDAs
Unminuto
Alemania
TUDO
España
Universidad de Valencia (UPV)
Univesidad del País Vasco ( UPV/EHU) Sinnergiak Social Innovation
Portugal
UA
France
Universidad Grenoble
International
ASHOKA