May 17-June 8, 2015
This course will introduce students to grand challenges and creation of entrepreneurial solutions in India. Through guest lectures, panels, and field visits, students will investigate the role of entrepreneurship in achieving financially viable solutions to improve quality of life and environment in Bangalore, India.
May 17-June 8, 2015
Seminar Description
The world is faced with complex but solvable grand challenges. To make real changes, students and professionals must be prepared to collaborate across academic disciplines, continents, and cultures. They must also understand the role of entrepreneurs, non-profits, and communities in implementing sustainable solutions.
This course will introduce students to grand challenges and creation of entrepreneurial solutions in India. Through guest lectures, panels, and field visits, students will investigate the role of entrepreneurship in achieving financially viable solutions to improve quality of life and environment in Bangalore, India.
Core areas covered will include water, energy, waste, public health, agriculture, and aspects of the built environment. In addition to working with instructors Julian Marshall and Fred Rose, the group will learn from and work with Indian entrepreneurs and students.
The course will also provide an intensive, hands-on experience in social entrepreneurship. Students will address a specific challenge by developing a sustainable revenue-generating business model to deliver a product or service.
Marshall has long been involved with the University of Minnesota student chapter of Engineers Without Borders and the Civil Engineering Peace Corps Masters International program. Rose heads the Acara program at the Institute on the Environment. Since 2009, Marshall and Rose have been providing students opportunities to develop entrepreneurial solutions to global grand challenges in the U.S. and abroad through the Acara Challenge, Acara Venture Awards and Fellowships, and numerous University of Minnesota Acara courses.
