New work vision and the role of education

DiaNEOsis‘ recent research “What The Greeks of 2022 Think” contributes interesting findings to the public debate. Focusing on the field of work, it is found that only 12% of respondents would turn to entrepreneurship if they could choose a job, while the most popular choice of all ages is the public sector.

However, the Knowledge Triangle “Education, Research, Entrepreneurship” triggers global developments in the field of innovation and Startup entrepreneurship, creating a new work vision, the added value of which needs to be understood in Greece as well.The shift of Greek interest to the commercial exploitation of research results and the deconstruction of entrepreneurship is imperative, as the research carried out in Greek research institutes (universities and research centers) is an untapped treasure, which brings economic and wider social benefits, when transformed into an innovative, competitive and exportable product.

Spin-offs established in research institutions and commercially exploiting their research results, contribute to the sustainable development of the economy and can be a powerful antidote to unemployment, especially of young specialized scientists, stopping and reversing the brain drain.

By implementing this vision, the government has promoted legislative initiatives, such as the institutional framework for spin-offs and the new development law. However, in addition to institutional or financial tools, implementation requires a deeper change of mentality, in which education in entrepreneurship through all levels of education plays a catalytic role.

Training in entrepreneurship for the commercial exploitation of research results is primarily the responsibility of research institutions through structures such as the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centers, the Technology Transfer Offices and the Incubators. Emphasis should be placed on the empirical (and not theoretical) way of training, e.g. by including teamwork to deal with real problems in real conditions.The role of the private sector, for example by involving it in open innovation actions, is also important for the development of such initiatives. A promotional role in the change of culture is also played by the introduction of entrepreneurship courses in doctoral curricula (especially those where researchers develop technology) and the offer of corresponding courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level.Therefore, entrepreneurship education can contribute decisively to the realization of the new working vision, shaping prospects for the country’s dynamic development.