The University of Maryland has been awarded an Excellence in Entrepreneurship Education award by the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE).
Maryland picked up the award for its Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program (EIP) – a two-year, living-learning programme for undergraduate students in their first two years of study. The programme offers a residential community, access to mentors and incubator facilities, and grants from an EIP-managed seed fund.
EIP students have gone on to form ventures in a wide selection of sectors, including defence, gaming, and electronics. They have also gone on to work for companies such as Amazon, Google, and Texas Instruments, as well as government agencies such as NASA and the National Institutes of Health.
Jay Smith, EIP director, said: “We are honoured to be recognised for excellence in entrepreneurship education by USASBE, one of the most influential organizations in the nation for supporting entrepreneurship and small businesses. We are committed to continually improving a model program to spur entrepreneurship and innovation, two of the key economic development drivers for creating jobs and bringing new products to market. For students, entrepreneurship is a fantastic vehicle for self-expression and self-actualization, giving them a chance them to pursue their dreams while creating value for society.”
