Lunch ’n’ learn sessions to share news on entrepreneurship and research commercialization

Monthly sessions hosted by the Entrepreneurship Practice and Innovation Centre (EPICentre) and the Office of Research and Innovation Services (ORIS) will inform faculty members about the latest happenings in entrepreneurship and research commercialization.

The Faculty Entrepreneurship and Innovation Lunch ’n’ Learn series will feature a different topic and speaker each month. Faculty from all disciplines are welcome to attend share their ideas and experiences on how they incorporate entrepreneurship into their courses.

“Entrepreneurship is an important mindset that we believe will help students enhance their abilities in critical thinking and creativity,” said EPICentre director Wen Teoh. “Universities and entrepreneurship centres all across the country are developing innovative programs to help their students develop an entrepreneurial mindset.”

Speakers with experience in commercializing their research or starting their own businesses will share the dos and don’ts of commercialization activities.

Heather Pratt, ORIS executive director, said it is excited to provide insight into how faculty can pursue commercialization to support their research.

“The research and innovation activities taking place at the University of Windsor are broad and provide many opportunities for knowledge mobilization and technology transfer that can benefit our community and economy,” she said.

The first event in the series will take place at noon Friday, Sept. 27, in the EPICentre offices on the second floor of the Joyce Entrepreneurship Centre. Myra Tawfik, professor of law and EPICentre Professor of IP Commercialization and Strategy, will discuss how she integrated entrepreneurship in her “EPICentre Practicum” course.

The second event will focus on research commercialization, with a presentation by Jill Urbanic, professor of mechanical, automotive, and materials engineering, on Thursday, Oct. 31. Dr. Urbanic will speak of her experience in starting her own company and how she leverages her business to support student activities.

Faculty members interested to attend either or both events should RSVP to Teoh at wteoh@uwindsor.ca.