The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and HOGENT have established a new Chair of Entrepreneurial Learning, aimed at tackling a societal challenge: entrepreneurship. Supported by financial backing from Xerius, this chair will focus on advancing both fundamental and applied research to assist entrepreneurs in transitioning from hybrid to full-time entrepreneurship.
"Through this chair, our goal is to develop scientific design principles that can be applied to the support, coaching, and guidance of hybrid entrepreneurs," explains academic coordinator Prof. Dr. Nico De Witte. "The objective is to foster entrepreneurial growth and facilitate a responsible transition to full-time entrepreneurship."
Prof. De Witte, who holds a PhD in Educational Sciences, brings a wealth of experience in researching societal challenges and developing innovative solutions.
"The chair offers a PhD student the opportunity to develop a design-oriented thesis. It builds on the long-standing collaboration between VUB and HOGENT, leveraging the deep theoretical knowledge of universities alongside the practical, hands-on expertise of colleges, creating powerful synergies," adds chair holder Dr. Bart Derre.
Dr. Derre is a leading figure in entrepreneurial education research. As director of the E-Lab, the Center for Entrepreneurship at HOGENT, he works closely with prominent educational institutions and experts to push the boundaries of entrepreneurship education.
This multidisciplinary collaboration, financed by Xerius – a key partner for self-employed professionals in Belgium – enables the swift implementation of innovative solutions. College students benefit from the scientific expertise of the university, while university students gain practical experience through applied research at HOGENT. This cross-institutional approach not only fuels innovation but also increases the societal impact of the research.
Over the course of four years, the chair aims to explore the experiences of individuals starting as hybrid entrepreneurs, develop and refine a guidance and coaching program for them and for college students, and ultimately create and optimize a comprehensive implementation strategy for the program.