Education Minister says entrepreneurship should be taught extensively

by Franco Aloisio

Education Minister Louis Galea has said that entrepreneurship studies should not only be limited to university degrees in business and management, but should be part of the forma mentis of all university and vocational training.

Dr Galea was asked to react to the proposal made by parliamentary secretary Edwin Vassallo on the possible introduction of entrepreneurship studies within the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy (FEMA).

Mr Vassallo, who is responsible for the development of the self-employed and the business sector, has over the last weeks met the University Rector Roger Ellul Micallef and the Dean of the FEMA Prof Daniel Darmanin to discuss his proposal.

Mr Vassallo proposed that entrepreneurship studies should be introduced as part of the courses offered by FEMA.

Mr Vassallo is arguing that university graduates are not being trained to take risks in their decisions and actions, but rather to avoid such risks. He added that university studies are gearing students towards business containment and risk avoidance.

Education Minister Louis Galea said he agreed in principle with Mr Vassallo's proposals.

However, he added that entrepreneurship is not a discipline which can be taught at university like any other subject. Dr Galea said entrepreneurship should not only be limited to university. He added that such studies will be offered to students who are to attend the College of Applied Arts and Technology. This college will open its doors to new students in the next scholastic year.

Dr Galea said that entrepreneurship will be the focus of studies which will be offered by the Institute of Banking and Commerce within the same college.

"It will form part of the general ethos of the college," Dr Galea said.