New Hub Of Entrepreneurial Creativity

The Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurship

Ireland's newest academy for entrepreneurship is just about to open its doors to the keenest of Irish Managers and Entrepreneurs wishing to start or progress their own business.

The Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurship is a joint venture between Tony Ryan, founder of Ryanair, and Dublin City University.

The academy is preparing to launch its first education programme, an executive MBS in Entrepreneurship.

The impetus for an MBS degree came from commissioned market research, which indicated the need for programme aimed at managers with business idea or considering starting their own new business venture. This MBS will also be of interest to managers in state agencies and government departments whose brief or area of interest includes entrepreneurship, reativity and innovation.

Achieving Strategic Direction

The objectives of the MBS are to equip participants with a broad range of strategic and leadership skills to help them develop their business ideas and, ultimately, to grow their own new business venture. Says Ann Horan, former interim CEO and current project director, the Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurship, "participants will be encouraged to develop their behavioural skills of reasoning, creativity, problem solving, analytical and critical thinking in addition to self-management and communication and presentation skills."

Building Core Capabilities

MBS in Entrepreneurship participants will gain a solid understanding and competency in enterprise and business knowledge to facilitate the fruition of efficient and effective business models. Participants will also explore areas of particular interest through project work, one to one mentoring and exposure to the range of successful entrepreneurs and visiting speakers who frequent the academy.

Further programmes at development stage include a diploma in innovation and a professional certificate in entrepreneurship, both of which are due for launch in early 2007.

Innovation Interchange

Launched last autumn, the Ryan Academy is based in Citywest business campus and has hosted a number of successful international seminars and networking events.

Due to its association with Tony Ryan, one of Ireland's leading entrepreneurs, this is an exciting time for the academy and its growing community of entrepreneurs.

Currently generating great interest among entrepreneurs and the general business community, the vision of the academy is to be the leading European centre of excellence for entrepreneurship and a place where entrepreneurs can come to develop ideas, learn new skills and network.

Concludes Horan, "we want to be exciting and different and to really appeal to Ireland's entrepreneurs. We will also be looking to attract visiting entrepreneurs from the European Union and further afield."