| The Entrepreneurs in Science (EIS) Unit was established in February 2001 within the UNSW Faculty of Science. The Unit currently offers an undergraduate Diploma in Innovation Management for science educated students and a Graduate Certificate in Research Management and Commercialisation for postgraduate students. The primary objective is to integrate business and entrepreneurial training into the core tertiary education of our future scientists.
The Australian education system for scientists has until recently been solely focused on scientific fundamentals. Students have not been educated in the commercial and business aspects of the science-based industries. Students have been able to complete double degrees in business related areas and science but the majority of graduates have tended to embark on business rather than science-based careers. Australia's next generation of research scientists must understand the path required for commercial exploitation and have the marketing and entrepreneurial skills required to make the journey. Australia needs a critical mass of science graduates with business and entrepreneurial skills if it is ever to develop a local high technology industry with global markets.
In looking to remedy this situation, the first program put in place by the EIS unit was the undergraduate Diploma in Innovation Management, which commenced in July 2001.
During the course of the program, students acquire skills in communication, teamwork, networking and leadership. Their studies cover areas such as creativity in enterprises, lateral thinking, business principles, basic business planning and planning for new ventures, funding, management and commercialization of intellectual property, valuation and assessment of high technology businesses.
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