Abstract:

Background:
This paper contributes to the discussion about the current condition and perspectives for the evolution of entrepreneurship at higher education facilities. One of its objectives is to draw attention to shaping today’s professional careers – based on the need of systematic educational activity and creativity and entrepreneurship as important elements of “capacity to work” – and also on the capabilities and skills related to creating new jobs (self-employment). The challenge for higher education is also to help local environments promote attitudes focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. The analysis of selected aspects of the problem was based, among others, on research reports on entrepreneurship and on own research and project experience.

The paper focus:
The purpose of the paper is also to present custom forms of activity – especially those which engage students – performed within the analysed field of academic activities, and to identify opportunities for the development of the creative and entrepreneurial potential of, above all, pedagogues. Therefore, it should be stressed out that it is about going beyond the narrow approach to academic entrepreneurship, which means turning to the creation of technology start-ups. The development of entrepreneurial potential in higher education institutions (including the humanities-profiled ones) leads also to the enrichment of practical training, including, for example, the organization of internships at innovative companies or employers offering additional trainings for students, which would consequently lead to making the educational offer more attractive.

Conclusions:
Conclusions resulting from the theoretical analysis, supported by own observations (the author of this paper is also a departmental apprenticeship coordinator and a departmental coordinator for cooperation with employers) lead, among others, to the following conclusions: It is important to maintain a positive attitude of the academic staff and student to taking advantage of their knowledge and skills, as well as expand those attributes, within the framework of cooperation with the socio-economic environment. Moreover, it is important to take into account actual needs of the labour market – which concern not only technological but also organizational solutions (opportunity for pedagogues) – in the field of cooperation between academic units with local employers.

Keywords:

Academic entrepreneurship, innovation, students, entrepreneurship education, university-business cooperation.