Abstract:

The present paper shows the development and the results achieved through the project Techno-Cube; a pilot experience developed by Mondragon University which promotes a problem-based learning (onwards, PBL) project based on current industry demands (Markuerkiaga et al., 2013). Concretely, this new learning methodology involves industry within the whole PBL project; from the introduction of the organisations’ problematic, until students’ project proposals. Within this process, diverse organisations, from Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain), presented their problems or necessities related to “New Business Opportunities - Diversification” and kept track of its evolution (together with an academic tutor) until the delivery of the project.

For the opening of this new University – Industry Collaboration approach, it was developed a Workshop joining academic and industrial worlds. The objective of this workshop was to identify opportunities for new businesses based on interorganizational prospective work and performed by the students of the Master in Business Innovation and Project Management from Mondragon University. From the kick off the project, six potential business ideas had been identified and afterwards developed by Master students. The PBL project had had two consecutive milestones: on the one hand, the focalization of the business idea, the development of its respective competitive intelligent system and the business model of the new idea; and on the other hand, an in depth development of the idea’s business plan. Furthermore, at the end of both milestones there were developed two sessions where students presented their achievements to business people, creating an appropriate environment for the University – Industry Collaboration.

Keywords:

Problem-based Learning, University-Industry Collaboration, Entrepreneurial Education, Entrepreneurial University.