Budding student social entrepreneurs hone their skills in the social enterprise module

40 undergraduate students have just completed the social enterprise module, where they had to design a social venture to improve the student experience at the University of Southampton.

The students, who came from a range of subject areas and backgrounds worked in inter-disciplinary teams to create their ventures, which they developed into fully fledged social enterprises through a three stage design process - conceive, create, deliver.
The students' projects ranged from an on-campus allotment and recycling schemes to a student friendly budgeting app and a peer-led sexual advice centre. 
Speaking about her experiences, Janina Vabo, a second year management student, described how she enjoyed the interactive elements of the module, where the students were encouraged and given the freedom to make their own decisions:

"What I love about the module is that it challenges you to think, not just learn.  It challenges the way we approach basic things such as teamwork, brainstorming and even the concept of doing 'good'.  I've learned how good intentions paired with prejudices have terrible outcomes, and how to avoid these by substituting assumptions for knowledge".

The Social Enterprise module runs in the first semester as part of curriculum innovation at the University and is facilitated by Dr Pathik Pathak and Josie Francis of the Social Impact Lab.

Read more about the students' final projects on our blog and find photos from the final pitching session on our Facebook page.