THE University of Greenwich at Medway has been recognised by the Higher Education Academy for giving engineering students a head start by offering training in business and entrepreneurial skills as part of their degree programme.

The Higher Education Academy is a nationwide organisation formed by teaching support bodies in 2004 to help lecturers enhance student learning. The University of Greenwich at Medway’s course was accredited on the academy’s website and cited as an example of best practice.

The Engineering Enterprise course has proved popular with more than 100 students since the course started eight years ago, according to senior lecturer, Dr Alec Coutroubis, who teaches at Medway School of Engineering, the University of Greenwich at Medway, Chatham Maritime.

He believes the Engineering Enterprise option is ideal for students who need a push in the right direction when it comes to thinking about setting up their own businesses after higher education.

"Approximately 60 per cent of the country’s wealth is created by small and medium businesses. We need up and coming engineers to carry on the hard work," says Dr Coutroubis, who has also worked in corporate banking and set up and run three businesses, including a shipping company and a tool and machinery manufacturing firm.

He encouraged anyone considering an engineering career to sign up for the optional course module, which he says has wide appeal and attracts students of all ages.

"It is fascinating watching how students achieve their potential and finish the course with commercially-viable business plans as well as technical knowledge.

"The key element in the course is encouraging students to identify an engineering business they are interested in setting up, and then helping them develop a realistic business plan to achieve their goals."

Dr Coutroubis is now looking into ways the course can be enhanced even further, such as seeking business mentors and work placements for students.