UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
PLANNING AND PRIORITIES COMMITTEE
REQUEST FOR DECISION
PRESENTED BY:
John Rigby, Chair, Planning and Priorities Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
May 15, 2008
SUBJECT:
Approval of the W. Brett Wilson Centre for
Entrepreneurial Excellence
DECISION REQUESTED:
It is recommended:
That Council approve the W. Brett Wilson Centre for
Entrepreneurial Excellence as a Type B Centre, effective
May 15, 2008.
PURPOSE:
The Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence aspires to become a centre of
excellence in teaching, research and outreach of commercialization strategies for
entrepreneurial ventures.
CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND:
The proposed Centre is included in the 2008/09 – 2011/12 Edwards School of Business
Plan as one of a number of centres the School intends to invest in, in partnership with key
stakeholders, to encourage interdisciplinary activity. The Centre speaks directly to the
call for increased emphasis on business and entrepreneurial education in the University’s
First Integrated Plan. As a Type B Centre, the centre is proposed as a campus-wide
initiative initially with the Colleges of Engineering, Agriculture and Bioresources,
Edwards School of Business, Arts and Science, and Kinesiology, with interest from other
colleges and units anticipated.
CONSULTATION:
The Centres Subcommittee reviewed the Wilson Centre of Entrepreneurial Excellence
with Director Marvin Painter on January 21 and March 10, 2008. Following receipt of
the positive recommendation from the Centres Subcommittee that the proposed centre be
approved, the Planning and Priorities Committee considered the proposal at its March 26
and April 9, 2008, meetings.
SUMMARY:
The Centre includes a scholars program, endowed research chair, outreach programs,
academic and applied research projects, and teaching in entrepreneurship programs and
special courses (graduate and undergraduate).
The Committees’ discussion regarding the proposal centred upon long-term sustainability
of the centre and the request for greater reflection of the applied and academic research
envisioned within the Centre. The Centre was viewed to have a realistic business plan,
with additional sources of potential funding identified, and an annual review of the
Centre’s finances planned. The proposal does not include a request for University
resources. The Centre will seek the requisite approval from College faculties related to
the array of proposed teaching activities within the Centre. The teaching associated with
the Centre will benefit students from multiple disciplines.
In summary, the Planning and Priorities Committee supports the establishment of the
Wilson Centre of Entrepreneurial Excellence as a Type B centre, which will enhance the
University’s objective to increase teaching, research and outreach activity related to
entrepreneurship across campus.
ATTACHMENTS:
1.
Proposal to establish the Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence