Institutions of higher learning have a big role to play in instilling an entrepreneur culture among youth, Spark-Rwanda officials have said. The officials said students are largely taught theories, which they later fail to translate into actual businesses because of lack of practical entrepreneurship skills. 

The organisation said they would, in partnership with University of Tourism, Technology and Business, train university leaders, students and young entrepreneurs next week as part of the activities to mark the annual Global Entrepreneurship Week that runs from November16–22. The training will focus on the role of higher learning institutions in creating the ‘next generation’ of entrepreneurs and job-creators.

The Global Entrepreneurship Week is the world’s largest campaign to promote entrepreneurship. In Rwanda, the campaign is hosted by IDEA For Africa, an organisation that inspires and trains youth to create social and economic value in their communities.

During the event, African Innovation Prize will launch its annual business plan competition targeting young entrepreneurs.

Spark will unveil a "doing business booklet” and a website to facilitate information sharing within Rwanda’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. The official hash-tag for Global Entrepreneurship Week Rwanda is #GEWR15.

Spark develops higher education and entrepreneurship to empower young and ambitious people to lead their societies into prosperity.

business@newtimes.co.rw