Integrating social entrepreneurs’ mentoring into higher education

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the envisaged mutual benefits of potential integration of social entrepreneurs’ mentoring into higher education study programmes.

Design/methodology/approach. Social entrepreneurs, academic staff and students were surveyed online on the topic of the benefits of integrating social entrepreneurs’ mentoring into the higher educational process.

Findings. Among the advantages of integrating social entrepreneurs’ mentoring into the higher education process, the following were identified: improved transfer of practical knowledge from social entrepreneurs to students and university academic staff; the possibility to develop autonomous skills, judgments and professional expertise; the possibility for social entrepreneurs as mentors to improve their level of personal fulfilment.

Research limitations/implications. Due to the limitations of an online survey, further comparative studies are needed to validate the benefits to students, HEIs and social entrepreneurs as mentors in entrepreneurship programmes.

Practical implications. A hands-on approach to social entrepreneurship education is pedagogically sound, cost-effective and transferable. Providers of higher education in social entrepreneurship could consider incorporating social entrepreneurs as mentors into different higher education programmes to enhance students’ capabilities, engagement and employability.

Originality/value. This article suggests that by inviting social entrepreneurs as mentors to different higher education programmes and showing students how social enterprises operate in the real world, students could identify themselves with role models and thus recognize, assess and shape social entrepreneurship opportunities.