Cultivating Sustainable Entrepreneurship at UCC: A Journey Towards SDG-Driven Education

18 Sep 2024

In recent years, University College Cork (UCC) has taken a significant leap forward by embedding sustainability values into its entrepreneurship education.

As part of UCC’s Innovation in Action series, we spoke with Dr Lana Repar from Cork University Business School (CUBS) about the transformative initiatives she leads along with Prof. Joe Bogue to foster SDGs-driven entrepreneurship at UCC. 

Their project, titled “Developing SDGs-driven Entrepreneurship Culture at UCC and across Ireland,” is not only reshaping entrepreneurship education at UCC but is also making a significant impact on how sustainability is integrated into business practices across the country. The initiatives under the HEA-funded project include the development of 'Short Courses and Micro-credentials in SDGs-driven Entrepreneurship' and the implementation of 'Technology-supported Teaching for Sustainable Entrepreneurship.' Both initiatives are fully integrated with UCC Strategic Plan’s aims to “create an innovation culture and entrepreneurial campus” that aligns with the university’s sustainability agenda.

The motivation to develop these initiatives stems from a desire to infuse entrepreneurship education with the principles of sustainability. As Dr Repar explains, "The goal was to encourage students and staff from all disciplines—especially those not traditionally involved in entrepreneurship, such as arts, medicine, and nursing—to learn about and embrace sustainable entrepreneurship." This inclusive approach is reflected in the course design, which is accessible to all UCC students and staff, regardless of their academic background.

Each short course consists of five units, blending high-quality videos, case studies, reading materials, checklists, discussion boards, and quizzes, and the content is tailored to ensure it remains practical and relevant. The participants can earn a UCC Digital Badge which certify the learning outcomes and support the growth of an SDGs-driven entrepreneurship culture.

One of the standout features of this initiative is the 'SDG-Driven Entrepreneurship Simulation Game.' This interactive tool was meticulously designed to mirror real-life business scenarios, offering participants a hands-on experience in making sustainable business decisions. The game, which focusses on aspects such as waste management, sustainable packaging, and responsible consumption (aligned with SDG 12), allows participants to see the direct impact of their decisions on key business outcomes like strategy, costs, margins, and profits.

"The coffee shop business scenario we chose works exceptionally well," notes Dr Repar. "It offers a great number of opportunities for students to understand how entrepreneurs must make decisions that impact not just profitability but also contribute to sustainability." This scenario challenges students to manage a virtual coffee shop, making decisions on products, services, staff management, waste management, and packaging—simulating the real-life complexities of running a sustainable business.

Integrating sustainability into entrepreneurship education is not without its challenges. One of the main hurdles, according to Dr Repar, was helping students see the practical side of sustainability in business. To address this, the team ensured that the simulation game included dedicated decisions targeting the SDGs, allowing students to see the tangible effects of sustainable practices on their business outcomes. Additionally, the short courses incorporated real-life examples from entrepreneurs who have successfully integrated sustainability into their businesses.

The response from students and staff has been overwhelmingly positive. Students have particularly enjoyed the simulation game, with many praising it for challenging them to think critically about their decisions. "Participants told us that they enjoyed being challenged in this way and that after playing the game, they better understood what it takes to be an entrepreneur in today’s world where sustainability is an immediate global issue", says Dr Repar.

The success of these initiatives is also a testament to the collaborative efforts between CUBS and UCC Innovation. While CUBS led the design of entrepreneurial education initiatives, UCC Innovation’s Eamon Curtin, Director of the IGNITE graduate entrepreneurship programme, focused on hands-on entrepreneurship summer schools. This collaboration ensured a seamless integration of activities, allowing students and staff to engage with various elements of SDGs-driven entrepreneurship education across different platforms and modalities.

Looking ahead, UCC plans to expand these initiatives further. “We hope to collaborate with other Irish universities and develop even more innovative materials,” says Dr Repar. “As technology evolves, so too will our courses and simulations, ensuring that UCC remains at the forefront of SDGs-driven entrepreneurship education.”

UCC’s commitment to fostering an SDGs-driven entrepreneurship culture is a forward-thinking approach that aligns perfectly with the university’s broader goals of sustainability. These initiatives not only equip students and staff with the skills and knowledge to make a positive impact in their future careers but also contribute to the global effort to achieve the SDGs. As Dr Repar aptly puts it, "SDGs-driven sustainability is the future, and we are happy to contribute to such an important area that has the potential to generate innovative solutions and jobs within the country and beyond for bettering our society."

UCC’s SDGs-driven entrepreneurship initiatives are a testament to the university’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. If you are engaging in innovative activity at UCC or know of someone who is contributing to the entrepreneurial and innovation space on campus, we would love to hear from you! Please email snolan@ucc.ie to get in touch and to be featured in our Innovation in Action series.