From Ideas to Impact: Highlights from the 3rd Global Conference on Entrepreneurial Education

The 3rd Global Conference on Entrepreneurial Education, co-organized for the third consecutive year by the University of Nicosia and Junior Achievement Cyprus, was successfully concluded. The conference, titled “From Theory to Practice”, took place on November 6, 2024, at the UNESCO Amphitheater of the University of Nicosia. It was supported by the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute and it was held under the auspices of the Minister of Education, Sports, and Youth.

The event attracted prominent academics, researchers, educators, and professionals in entrepreneurial education, emphasizing entrepreneurship’s role as a driving force for economic growth, job creation, and social cohesion. The conference highlighted how entrepreneurial education enhances school engagement, promotes equity, and contributes to students’ personal development.

Renowned speakers shared the latest research and trends in the field, focusing on topics such as the foundational theories supporting entrepreneurial education, the skills developed through this process, and the practical challenges of integrating entrepreneurial education at all levels of the educational system.

Speakers included Dr. Konstantinos Fouskas from the University of Macedonia, Avramis Despotis from the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (CYQAA), Konstantinos Loizou from Embio Diagnostics, Dr. Louiza Sofocleous from Mighty Kitchen, Maria Lavithi Howard from MGD Heroes Made, and Dr. Pavlina Hadjitheodoulou-Loizidou from the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute. They presented innovative ideas and practices underscoring the importance of entrepreneurial education in youth development.

During the event, Antigoni Komodiki, CEO of Junior Achievement Cyprus, stressed the significance of experiential learning and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among young people:

“Failure is one of the strongest factors in building students’ confidence and efficiency as they are compelled to redefine their goals. Opportunities for experiential and hands-on learning are invaluable. Moreover, educators’ participation in programmes like ‘Company Programme’ not only advances their professional growth but also positively enriches their approach to everyday teaching.”

The conference, conducted in Greek, concluded with the issuance of attendance certificates to participants and encouraged networking to foster future collaborations and sustain dialogue on entrepreneurial education.

Junior Achievement Cyprus, a member of the global nonprofit organization JA Worldwide, continues to support entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and workforce readiness education, offering young people opportunities for learning and development.

For more information, visit our website: www.jacyprus.org