The DUT Midlands Entrepreneurship Centre & Student Desk hosted Prof Christoph Maurer from the Munich University of Applied Sciences, Germany on the 3rd of May 2019. The aim was to ignite students about Germany perspective on entrepreneurship and student support.
The Centre manager, Ms Nontokozo Ngcobo Introduced Professor Christopher Maurer to the students and gave a glimpse of what he will cover on his presentation. Furthermore, she accentuated that students should embrace this grand and rare opportunity with both hands and ask as many questions as possible.
“Customer focus is the main issue in the entrepreneurship space. Find the gaps where you can and jump in with a better idea. Being an entrepreneur is about identifying a problem and coming up with a solution for it “said Prof Christoph Maurer.
The Munich University of Applied Sciences has developed a tool known as the Morphologic Matric for addressing many problems experienced in the business world and identifying a number of solutions to address those problems. This is a great tool to develop new business ideas. Other models utilised include Fussy Front End, Balloon Rides and Double Diamond for inventing and evaluating feasible innovative ideas.
This session was exceptionally informative and of great value to students. Professor Maurer encouraged students to take resources that they already have and make the best of them. He then shared factors of success namely: be part of a team, be creative, be innovative, be committed and be successful.
“Unemployment rate in this country is flying high, however, there are possibilities for change. As the upcoming youth (referring to students) you have the power to alter this situation. Entrepreneurship has taken over the world, this is your opportunity to be innovative and inventive”, he said.
A question and answer session was held after the presentation. In terms of attendance, this event was a huge success as a total of 113 of the students attended. A majority of the students were from the Department of Public Management and enjoyed this interactive, insightful and informative German perspective on entrepreneurship.
Sindisiwe Ndlovu
